Garage sales are win-win events. Vendors clear clutter and shoppers find bargains. And everyone gets to enjoy meeting new friends. But think twice about the items you sell or the items you buy at garage sales. A steal-of-a-deal may cause injury or death.

Garage Sale Vendors: Remember Your Responsibilities

When it comes to safety, we all have a responsibility. Protect other families as you’d protect your own. Here are four ways you can protect your customers:

1. Make sure that the items you’re selling meet current regulations and are not damaged or subject to a recall.

2. Make sure warning labels are still intact and that no parts of the item pose a hazard.

3. Check the manufacturer's information regarding the age range for safe use of a product, such as "not for children under 3."

4. Ensure all parts of the item are present and that the instructions for use are available.

Garage Sale Shoppers: 7 “Deals” to Avoid

Don’t jeopardize your family’s safety and health for the sake of a few dollars. When you’re out bargain hunting, keep in mind the following:

1. Electrical appliances and tools could be damaged and put you in danger of electrical shock or fire. A home handyman may have tampered with them by rewiring, putting on a new cord or plug or removing a third prong from a grounding plug. Hand tools are no bargain if they are old and defective.

2. Don’t buy second-hand safety equipment such as helmets, personal flotation devices, smoke detectors or fire extinguishers. These could be defective or fail to meet current safety regulations.

3. Dishes aren’t always a safe buy either. Some old dishes and pottery contain lead, which can leach into food and cause lead poisoning. Cracked dishware is unsanitary.

4. Baby gates that have large diamond-shaped openings or large “V” openings at the top are dangerous. A child’s head could get caught in these openings and cause strangulation. (In Canada, it’s illegal to sell these baby gates, as well as baby walkers.)

5. Watch out for children’s products generally, such as car seats, cribs and strollers. Older models don’t meet current safety standards and current models might have been recalled.

6. Children’s toys aren’t always a bargain, either. Many toys with paint containing lead have been recalled lately, and toys with magnets are also a concern because they can be swallowed and cause internal injuries.

7. Old or used cosmetics should be avoided because they may contain harmful bacteria that could lead to skin rashes or infection. They could also be missing labeling information about ingredients, warnings and directions for safe use.

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