Used car seats may not be a great bargain

NEWMARKET – It is that time of year again when many people are preparing to host garage sales and others are looking forward to shopping for bargains. However, it is important to know that some of these bargains can be dangerous!

 

Do you know that you are legally responsible for making sure that the products you sell, whether new or used, meet the safety standards set by Health Canada?  Regulations exist under the Hazardous Products Act for certain items, including many children's products.

 

Used car seats sold at garage sales are of special concern.  In fact, many of them are not safe to use.

 

The following conditions should be ensured before you buy or sell a used car seat:
• There is a copy of the manufacturer's instructions with the car seat
• The car seat is not expired.  Each manufacturer has a different expiry date
• There is a label stating that the car seat complies with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS)
• The seat has not been in a collision or dropped from a height of one meter or more
• There are no cracks, chips, stress marks, missing parts, warping on the metal framework, broken rivets, or rust.  The webbing of the harness straps should not have cuts, stretching, or fraying
• There has not been a Public Notice (recall) issued on the car seat.  To find out if there has been a recall, contact the manufacturer or Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0371
Remember, the next time you are planning to hold a garage sale or shop at one, think safety first and prevent injuries or deaths.

 

For more information on this or any other health-related issues, contact York Region Health Services, Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or Health Canada 1-866-662-0666

 

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For more information on the Regional Municipality of York and our services, please visit www.york.ca

 

Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, York Region Health Services
 Phone:  (905) 830-4444 ext. 4016 or after-hours pager (905) 830-3302
           Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca