Information for Shoppers of Second-hand Products

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Children's Jewellery
• Car Seats
• Children's Sleepwear
• Cradles and Cribs
• Cosmetics
• Hockey Helmets and Face Protectors
• Playpens
• Safety Gates
• Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Strollers
• Toys
• Toys with Magnets
• Bed Rails
• Bunk Beds
• Drawstrings on Children's Clothing
• Helmets
• Infant Bath Seats and Bath Rings
• Window Blinds and Curtains

Introduction

It is important to be aware of the potential risks of buying second-hand items at garage sales, flea markets, second-hand stores, or online, or when borrowing items from friends or family.

Before buying a second-hand product, check with the manufacturer or Health Canada to see if it has been recalled. You can check for recalled items on the Health Canada Web site: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls. If you discover that a product you bought has been recalled and the problem has not been corrected, destroy the product so it cannot be used by someone else, and throw it away.

In Canada, even though it is the seller's responsibility to ensure that their products are safe, meet current safety guidelines, and have not been recalled, an informed consumer will make safer purchases. Do not purchase products if they are banned, damaged, or missing labelling or instructions.

Children's Jewellery

The importation, advertisement, or sale of children's jewellery that contains more than allowable lead limits as set out in the Canadian regulations is illegal. Lead is a soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal that is often used to make inexpensive jewellery. Lead is poisonous when absorbed into the body. A child can suffer from lead poisoning if they suck, chew, or swallow jewellery containing lead. Jewellery containing lead, which has a protective or decorative coating, is not safe since children can easily chew off the coating. If you are not sure that the jewellery product does not contain lead, it is safer not to purchase it.

Common second-hand products that must meet safety requirements under the Hazardous Products Act or the Food and Drugs Act:

Car Seats

Car seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and have a National Safety Mark on them. They must also come with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions, and date of manufacture. Car seats should not be purchased if they are past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure that the car seat has functional restraint and anchoring systems that are in good working order. Do not buy a car seat that has been in a vehicle during a collision. If the seller does not know the history of the product, do not buy it. For more information or to check for recalls, contact Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0371 or visit their Web site: www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.

Children's Sleepwear

Loose-fitting children's sleepwear, such as nightgowns, bathrobes, and loose pyjamas, burn more easily if made of cotton or cotton-blends. Cotton or cotton-blends should only be used for tight-fitting styles, such as sleepers or polo pyjamas(tight cuffs at the end ofsleeves and pant legs, close fit to the body). To meet flammability requirements, loose-fitting children's sleepwear should be made of polyester, nylon or polyester/nylon blends. Cords or belts should be removed or stitched to the centre back of these products to prevent strangulation.

Cradles and Cribs

Cribs made before September 1986 do not meet current safety regulations and should be destroyed. Cribs and cradles must come with information that identifies the manufacturer, model number, date of manufacture, warnings, and assembly instructions. Check that the crib or cradle is not damaged, broken, cracked, or missing parts. Wood and metal parts should be free of splinters or burrs and there should be no loose nuts or bolts.

Cosmetics

Used, old, or damaged cosmetics should never be purchased second-hand. These products may contain harmful bacteria that could cause skin rashes or lead to infections. Also, second-hand cosmetics may be missing required labelling information, such as ingredients, warnings, and directions for safe use.

Hockey Helmets and Face Protectors

Hockey helmets and face protectors must meet the safety standards set by CSA International (Canadian Standards Association). Helmets must have a CSA sticker. Face protectors that are sold separately from a helmet must have the CSA mark printed on them. Hockey helmets must have labelling with the date of manufacture, and a functioning chin strap. Hockey helmets usually last between three and five years depending on use. They must not be purchased if they were subjected to a major impact, are more than five years old, show visible signs of damage, or parts are missing. If you are unsure of a helmet's quality or condition, do not buy it.

Playpens

Playpens must have a label that states the manufacturer, the model, and the date of manufacture. Instructions for use should be included. Locking mechanisms must be in working order. Playpen mesh must be fine mesh like mosquito netting. There should be no torn vinyl or mesh. Joints and ends of metal tubing should be covered with a pad or cap. Do not buy playpens that have protruding bolts and make sure that the ends of bolts are covered with tight acorn nuts.

Safety Gates

Safety gates must come with manufacturer's instructions and should be labelled with age restrictions. Do not purchase gates that have large, diamond-shaped openings along the top and/or sides.

Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is not recommended to buy used smoke or carbon monoxide detectors as these have limited life spans. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every five years.

Strollers

Carriages and strollers made before 1985 may not meet current safety standards and should not be purchased. Strollers must be accompanied by information that identifies the manufacturer, model number, and the date of manufacture. Strollers must come with a lap belt or safety harness that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. Locking mechanisms on folding models should be in working order and wheels should be securely attached.

Toys

Toys that are in poor repair or broken, have sharp edges or points, or have loose eyes or noses are not safe and should not be bought second-hand. Know the age range of the children for whom you are buying. Some toys contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard to children less than three years old. Recently,there has been an increased number of recalls on toys with paint containing lead. Check with the manufacturer or Health Canada for recalls before buying toys (www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls).

Toys with Magnets

Check toys for loose magnets before purchasing. Small powerful magnets used in toys, figurines, science kits, board games, and other household items may pose a hazard if the item is small enough to be swallowed, or if the small magnet breaks away from the product and is swallowed. If a child swallows more than one magnet over a short period of time, the magnets can attract one another while travelling through the intestines. The magnets can twist the intestines and create a blockage or they can tear through the intestinal walls. The results can be very serious and even fatal. Recently, there has been an increased number of recalls on toys with magnets. Check with the manufacturer or Health Canada for recalls before buying toys (www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls).

Examples of other common second-hand items that pose a safety hazard:

Bed Rails

Check the original packaging or manufacturer's Web site to determine if the bedrail requires the use of a standard bed with both a box spring and mattress. Only use portable bed rails that meet the requirements of the current ASTM International standard for portable bed rails. These products can pose a suffocation hazard if a young child gets trapped between the bed rail and the mattress. Never use a portable bed rail for children who are younger than two years of age.

Bunk Beds

Only buy bunk beds that come with instructions for assembly and use, as well as warning labels. Check that there are guardrails on both long sides of the top bunk. The ladder should be in good condition and securely attached to the bed. Corner posts or tops of the ladder uprights should not extend more than 5 mm (0.2 inches) higher than the adjacent surface, such as guardrails or end panels, to prevent snagging of clothes. Check to make sure the frame is solid; metal bunk beds with cracks in their welds should not be bought. The mattress should fit snugly on all sides and its sleeping surface be at least 127 mm (5 inches) below the top of the guardrails and end panels. Purchase only bunk beds meeting the latest ASTM F1427 standard - ask before you buy.

Drawstrings on Children's Clothing

Drawstrings on children's clothing should be removed before use. Drawstrings, especially on snowsuits, jackets, and hooded sweatshirts, can become caught on playground equipment, fences or other objects and cause strangulation.

Helmets

Helmets are designed to protect the head against either single or multiple impacts. They can be certified through a number of organizations (for example, Snell, CSA, ANSI) and should have a label stating to which standard they have been certified:

• Bicycle, in-line skating and equestrian helmetsThese helmets are designed to protect the head against a single impact. It is not recommended that you buy these products second-hand or that you borrow them from others.
• Ski and snowboard helmets- These helmets may be designed for single or multiple impacts. If you are unsure which type it is, Health Canada recommends that you do not buy it. Do not buy second-hand single impact helmets. If you decide to buy a multiple impact helmet, ensure it meets a recognized safety standard by checking for a label.

Infant Bath Seats and Bath Rings

It is not recommended to buy these products second-hand. The suction cups or other means to attach them to a bathtub may be worn and not work anymore. Bath seats and rings are not safety devices. These products will not keep an unsupervised baby safe in a bathtub. Many babies have died when they were left alone in a bath seat or bath ring, even for seconds. Labels with warnings and/or instructions that could have alerted you of the serious drowning hazard may be out of date or missing entirely.

Window Blinds and Curtains

Children can strangle on cords and bead chains of blinds and curtains. Looped cords and long pull cords can wrap around a child's neck and cause strangulation. Keep pull cords out of the reach of children at all times. Remember that children can climb furniture to reach dangling cords.

Blinds or curtains with pull cords should not be purchased unless they have:

• tension devices attached to any looped pull cord;
• devices on the pull cords to stop the inner cords from being pulled out; and
• labels with instructions to keep pull cords out of the reach of children.

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2009
ISBN: 978-0-662-06424-4
Cat. No.: H128-1/08-565
HC Pub.: 4540

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