Product safety rules invade garage sales as used goods now treated like new ones

So you're planning a garage or yard sale to get a little cash for those things you're ditching after a spring cleaning?

If the display table includes, say, a old set of lawn darts or a child car seat, maybe some yo-yo balls, you're going to have federal health and safety bureaucrats looking over your shoulder.

The year-old Canada Consumer Product Safety Act now covers not just new goods sold by retailers but that ancient baby walker that was gathering dust in your basement.

"There is no distinction under the CCPSA and its regulations between new and used products," Health Canada said a news release this week warning people to be cautious when buying things at garage sales or second-hand stores.

"Any person who sells, distributes, or gives away consumer products that do not comply with the Act or its current regulations is breaking the law in Canada."

Health Canada spokesman Kelvin Au said both the buyer and seller have responsibilities to ensure products comply with safety standards.

"The best thing to do is ask as many questions as possible," Au told CBC News. "You want to make sure to look at the label and make sure that labels are present."

Products that present a potential risk to children are a particular concern, said Au, including things such as child car seats, cribs, blinds with cords that pose a strangulation threat and toys. Child seats come with an expiry date and other products, such as toys, might be subject to recalls.

Some items, such as baby walkers, lawn darts and yo-yo balls, are banned outright in Canada.

Health Canada advises that before holding a garage sale, check with the manufacturer and Health Canada to see if an item has been recalled and if the problem has been corrected.

The department's web page on garage sales includes a partial list of products that need to be vetted before sale, and a link to consumer product recalls.