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Describer: Garage sale vendor interacting with another vendor.
Sound up: "I would say like 5 and up."
Describer: Wide shot of garage sale.
Sound: Birds chirping. People chatting.
Describer: Garage sale vendor holding his baby.
Narrator: It's the annual street sale in this community. For Patrick Wirth it's the perfect opportunity to sell off stuff his growing family doesn't need anymore. But what he doesn't know is that everyone holding a garage sale in Canada is legally responsible for ensuring that products sold or even given away, whether new or used are safe and meet current safety standards.
Describer: Buyers going through bag of baby clothing.
Describer: Chair with items for sale at a garage sale.
Describer: Buyer going through a rack of clothes at garage sale.
Describer: Buyer picking up a pair of Scooby Doo socks.
Describer: Doll's wicker cradle.
Describer: Strollers and other items for sale at a garage sale.
Patrick Wirth - Garage sale vendor "No actually, I wasn't aware of that"
Describer: Stroller being pushed with other garage sale items on it.
Describer: Shot of baby walker.
Narrator: So, is there anything here today that people shouldn't be selling? Well, that's something that most of these vendors didn't know either.
Baby walkers are illegal to sell in Canada. So what should people do?
Graham Stewart - Consumer Product Safety - Health Canada "Destroy the product in such a way that no one can use it, fish it out of the garbage etc, try to put it back together... and then dispose of it properly."
Describer: Buyer holding a crystal bowl. Buyer examining a light for sale at a garage sale. Shot of children's toys.
Narrator: As a consumer, you are encouraged to put safety ahead of savings and to use caution when buying second-hand items, particularly if the items are intended for use by children.
Describer: Crib and stroller at Health Canada Product Safety Lab. Toy with magnets. Person playing with yo-yo ball.
Graham Stewart - Consumer Product Safety - Health Canada "There's been a lot of recall notices lately. We've seen a lot in the media and things like that so products like cribs, products like strollers, toys, toys with magnets, things like that. You're going to want to be careful about these products that you're looking to purchase. There's some good examples out there so we encourage people to go to those websites to make sure - because the list is so long and there are so many different types of products that could be affected."
Locator: Health Canada Product Safety Lab
Toys Prohibited or Restricted in Canada
Product: Yo-yo type balls and similar products
Health Risk: Pliable, stretchable cord that could cause strangulation.
Product: Lawn darts with elongated tips
Health Risk: Can cause serious injuries, including skull punctures.
Product: Children's jewellery
Health Risk: Lead content above the allowable limit. Lead poisoning.
Product: Costumes
Health Risk: Flammable. Material will burn in 4 seconds or less.
Describer: Miscellaneous items for sale at garage sale.
Describer: Buyer going through items for sale on a table at garage sale.
Narrator: You will find consumer product recalls posted by Health Canada by logging onto: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls
Narrator: And Lou Travis agrees that the buyer should be well-informed and bear some of the responsibility.
Describer: Baby gate, manufacturers' label for a baby gate. Instructions guide for installing wooden baby gate. Buyer making purchase at garage sale.
Lou Travis - Garage sale vendor: "There are certain items like we sold a gate this morning; if it's installed properly then I don't feel responsible for that."
Narrator: Before buying a baby gate, look for the manufacturers' label, model number and date, and all instructions on how to install and use safely. The bottom line - the best way for all to enjoy this annual spring ritual, whether buying or selling - keep safety in mind.
Patrick Wirth - Garage sale vendor: "I wouldn't put any item out that I knew where defective or such... I would garbage those right off the bat."