By: Laura Nikolovska
Spring is here and you know what that means; warmer weather, spring cleaning, and… yard sales! Generally speaking, garage sales are a great place to get a good deal on products to use with your grandkids, but they are also a likely place to find dangerous, recalled products. That’s why KID (Kids In Danger) has developed a handy Yard Sale Safety Checklist that you can bring with you as you shop. The checklist is full of great advice, but here are our 3 favorite tips:
1.) A product with missing or broken pieces might seem like a good deal and an easy fix, but even if you can repair it that doesn’t ensure the product will be safe for your grandchild. Avoid buying items that will need repair.
2.) Do not waste your money on dangerous products like bath seats, baby walkers, and crib bumper pads. Don’t think bargain when you see these items, think beware!
3.) We all attach sentimental value to things we’ve saved from when our own children were kids. But before you pull them out for the grand kids, remember that they may pose real hazards. For example, you shouldn’t use, buy, or sell cribs made before June 28, 2011 because they do not meet tough new federal standards. Even if your grandkids will only be using the product for a short time, they are still not safe to use.
In addition, be extra careful checking when shopping for other sleep environments for babies (i.e portable cribs). Many of these products have new mandatory safety standards which older models just won’t meet.
The checklist is also great for sellers to display to show their commitment to product safety to their customers. If you are hosting a sale, be sure to review the list before the day of the sale and make sure you have followed each tip so protect your customers from unsafe products. Feel free to print as many checklists as you like at our publications page, or email Laura and she will send complimentary copies.
KID is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by improving children’s product safety. Learn more at http://kidsindanger.org/
Laura Nikolovska came to Kids in Danger in September 2012 after 5 years in the education sector. She is currently the program associate at KID. For more information on how KID can provide grandparents with life saving product safety information, please contact Laura at 312-595-0649 or Laura@KidsInDanger.org.