SAN ANTONIO – No doubt you can find treasures for pennies on the dollar at neighborhood yard sales, but Consumer Reports says there are some things you should skip and others that warrant close inspection.
Take battery-powered lawn tools, for example. If the seller still has the product, it should come with a charger, extra batteries and a manual.
“The most important thing you want to know is the age of the tool,” said Consumer Reports’ Paul Hope.
Many riding mowers have an hour meter, so you’ll know exactly how many hours it has been on the job. Don’t just examine the mower, size up the yard.
If you have kids, you know that yard sales can be a great way to get what you need without breaking the bank, but you still have to be careful that the gear you get for your baby is safe.
“While it’s illegal to sell recalled products, including on the second-hand market, people might not be aware of the law or may not realize the product they’re selling has been recalled,” said Consumer Reports’ Emily Thomas.
It’s not uncommon to find recalled infant sleepers and other products.
Cribs with drop-down sides are another dangerous item to never buy. These have been linked to dozens of infant deaths and were banned in 2011. Even parents planning on using newer cribs still need to be careful. Sometimes, a used crib may be disassembled and passed on to you, and you won’t know if the hardware’s missing unless you have the assembly instructions.
Used car seats are also problematic.
“Buying used car seats is not a good idea because you won’t reliably know much about them, including their crash history,” Thomas said.
If you’re still considering a used car seat that has no broken or missing parts and you know hasn’t been in a crash, you’ll want to check the seat’s expiration date on the label and in the owner’s manual, as well as search for any open recalls on the model. You can find the model number on the seat’s manufacturer label. If you need a crib or car seat, check with nonprofits in your area. Many sell them at a discounted price.
Be careful about buying old, used toys. Safe battery compartments will have a screw.
Another tip on tools: The voluntary safety standard for walk-behind and ride-on mowers is ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2003. The CPSC says that if you shop for a mower, a label certifying that the mower or garden tractor meets the 2003 ANSI B71.1 standard indicates that the machine has these safety features.