Health Canada Reminds Canadians to Put Safety Ahead of Savings During Garage Sale Season

Information Update
2008-82
May 28, 2008
For immediate release

OTTAWA - With garage sale season upon us, Health Canada is reminding consumers to put safety ahead of savings, and exercise caution when buying second-hand items at garage sales, flea markets, on-line sites, and second-hand stores. In Canada, it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that the products they sell meet current Canadian safety guidelines. The buyer must decide if the savings on second-hand goods are worth the potential risk of buying an item that could be unsafe.

Do not consider buying items that have damaged, cracked, missing or loose parts, items that are missing instructions, or items that have been banned or recalled because they pose a risk to consumer health or safety, or because they do not fulfill Canadian health and safety requirements and regulations. To find out if the product you are interested in has been recalled by the manufacturer, and for help in determining if the problem has been corrected, contact the manufacturer or check the list of consumer product recalls. If you have a product that has been recalled and the problem has not been corrected, destroy the item to prevent its use by someone else, and throw it away.

Product safety requirements are covered under the Hazardous Products Act which is administered by Health Canada. Under the law, vendors cannot import, sell, give away, lend, or distribute products that do not meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act. The Act also covers items that are homemade or have been modified.

On April 8, 2008 the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, which aims to better inform Canadians about the safe selection and use of consumer products, as well as to protect them from unsafe consumer products. The Act is currently under Parliamentary review.

Health Canada also administers the Radiation Emitting Devices Act (REDA). The REDA covers such items as microwave ovens, UV facial lamps and personal tanning equipment. Resold items that fall under this Act must also meet current standards.

To assist buyers and sellers, Health Canada has released a publication entitled: Facts for Garage Sale Vendors. This fact sheet contains information about the health and safety requirements of products such as: children's sleepwear, toys and jewellery; window blinds; hockey helmets and face protectors. To obtain copies of this publication, contact Consumer Product Safety.

Inquiries regarding the resale of items covered under the REDA may be directed to (613) 954-6699 or by e-mail to crpb-psrcc@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Consumer Product Recalls

"Selling Second Hand Products"

Hazardous Products Act

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 613-957-2983

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709