Canadian Budget Binder

Yard sale in Moultrie, GA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you thinking about “Spring” or “Summer”  Cleaning for things you can sell for money?  Most people wonder what to sell at a garage sale but now they need to know what NOT to Sell at a garage sale. Have you heard of the Health Canada 2012 Garage Sale Advisory?

In the summer time especially, people come in droves to find the latest and greatest deals at garage sales in Canada. I know we’re part of those groups of people. I’m not so sure it will be as exciting as it once was maybe more stress than it’s worth.

I recently posted about garage sale tips for buying and selling stuff  and felt it was important to write a new post to highlight the Health Canada Advisory for Canadians who want to sell new or used items. We are all looking for ideas for yard sales and the latest tips for yard sales but these tips today take precedence over any other.

Do you understand the 2012 Advisory? If not you need to read on because I was even shocked during my research…….

You are  legally, yes legally responsible for the items you sell, new or used making sure that they meet regulatory requirements. If you don’t follow them you are breaking the law in Canada! You never know when a Health Canada Product Safety Officer might be investigating.

Make sure you know what you are selling in accordance to Health Canada’s 2012 Garage Sale Advisory. Want to pass down your old radio to your grandson, or the toys your child used to a friend or family member… be informed. It’s all about safety first, profits from sales last.

Why you ask?…………keep reading.

If you think you are getting off  free and clear think twice before giving away something to your family, friends or neighbour for free. You are still up a creek without a paddle if something should go wrong. That’s right you are still legally responsible to make sure the products are safe.

If you do sell or give away something that is not in compliance you may be liable in a civil court of law… oh ya it’s true!  Please don’t throw tomatoes at me I’m just telling it like it is.  Minimize your legal risk and learn the facts…and there are alot of them!

I know most of you are shaking your heads and cursing up and down but the law is the law, but how far do we have to go for used stuff? We are firm believers in buying second-hand items but only if they are in good working order.  Even second-hand shop owners are responsible with good reason that anything they sell is in compliance.

Why does the Federal Government seem to be passing the buck on to consumers looking to make a few cents at a yard sale? Poor little kids just wanna make spending money for penny sweets at the shop selling toys they no longer want. (Soon nickel candy will be the old penny candy if it’s not already) there were half penny sweets when I were a kid.

I don’t think it’s reasonable to say that every seller/vendor is going to make the right decisions when it comes to garage sales. Do they get a slap on the wrist if  caught and plead ignorant? You can try it but I don’t think it will wash with the big guys. There will always be the “I didn’t know, I thought it was ok, It wasn’t broken when I sold it.”

If you haven’t heard of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act then you should familiarize yourself with it. Nowadays we are finding more people buying,selling and giving away free second-hand items. Whether it’s at a garage sale, kijiji, Craigs list, Freecycle or on other social media such as Facebook Marketplace you will find what you need. All of these outlets of selling new,used or giving away for free apply to this act. Such sites as Kijiji have a policy in place that leaves the seller responsible for knowing the law.

• If you have anything that is damaged, just get rid of it, don’t be selling it.
• Always check with Health Canada and the manufacturer before re-selling a product as it may have been recalled.
• You can check for consumer recalls here to make sure you know the products you have and what you should do with them.

What is banned from being SOLD at Garage Sales in Canada?

According to Health Canada…….“anything that has been recalled and not corrected or cannot be corrected”

You must destroy them.

Here are only a few items listed on their site.  You can’t even advertise, list for free or import into Canada any of these items…..

• Baby Walkers
• Lawn Darts with elongated tips
• Baby bottles containing BPA
• Yo-Yo Balls
• Jequirity beans- If you are asking yourself what the heck  these are.. good because even I didn’t even know. They are very toxic and can make you extremely ill.

huffington post UK ;photo credit

Recently a woman in the UK suffered hallucinations and abscesses from toxins according to the Huffington Post UK. They go on to say,”it is a deadly seed of the plant, abrus precatorious, which originate from Peru”

Photo Credit

Take caution when selling or giving away anything for children especially the items listed below, keep in mind this is not the entire list. I will touch on a few with a quickie tidbit on each.

Some Items that MUST meet Regulatory Requirements to

Sell: These are not the full details… 

• Baby gates- With diamond-shaped ”V” at the top larger than 38mm
• Car seats-Do not sell if past the lifetime date or if been in an accident
• Children’s jewellery-If it contains lead it is very toxic for children
• Children’s sleepwear-Cotton,cotton blends or rayon burn easily
• Cribs, cradles and bassinets-Must meet all regulatory requirements if made before 1986 cannot be sold
• Play pens-Must not have protruding bolts,torn vinyl or mesh
• Strollers and Carriages-must come with a crotch strap and lap belt and not be made before 1985
• Toys-Any damaged toys, sharp-edged toys
• Corded window blinds-Children can strangle themselves with the chord
• Helmets and Face Protector’s must have sticker and number from Canadian Standard Association

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There is also the  Radiation Emitting Devices Act  and according to Health Canada you may want to make sure these devices are in top-notch condition before attempting to sell or give away. Not everyone hangs on to their instruction manuals perhaps now might be a good time to start if you ever plan on selling. We take all of our manuals and file them in a box for easy reference. I guess now for easy selling!

• Microwaves cannot be damaged and must come with instructions
• Entertainment devices-example; stereos, Mp3 must have instructions and volume control MUST work properly as to not cause any potential hearing damage.

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