Product Safety and Recalls

Product Safety

Many nursery products are not regulated by government standards. In other words, manufacturers for the most part regulate themselves. Industry organizations such as the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) test and approve the products of their members. However, no stamp of approval guarantees a product's long-term safety. When it comes to purchasing any product for your child, the best advice remains 'buyer beware'.

Canadian Hazardous Products Act

Certain nursery products are regulated under the Hazardous Products Act. Below is a partial list of products that must meet government-imposed safety standards to be sold in Canada. You could be subject to fines if you knowingly sell the following:

Accordion-style gates: certain types of these gates are banned from sale in Canada.

Baby walkers: Banned in 2004. Anyone with a baby walker is advised to destroy it so that it cannot be used and to discard it.

Car seats: must show a Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) approval sticker.  Check for an expiry date on the car seat or contact the manufacturer.

Children's sleepwear and drawstrings on clothing: must meet flammability and strangulation prevention requirements.

Cribs: those made before 1986 do not meet safety standards.

Playpens: new standards imposed in 1985. Also check the CPSC web site, as some models made in the 90's are highly dangerous.

Strollers: must have three-point safety harnesses.

Toys/lawn darts: lawn darts with elongated tips are banned in Canada.

Lead: imported cookware and pottery; candles with lead wicks, costume jewellery, toys and furniture.

Window coverings: new blinds must not have cords with continuous loops

For more information on the Canadian Hazardous Product Act, visit Health Canada's Product Safety Bureau.

Recalls

Warnings and recalls are issued when products are found to contain flaws, toxic substances or removable parts that can seriously injure a child. Millions of units of children's products in Canada and the US have been recalled. However, recalls usually happen months to years after products first arrive on store shelves, and families are often unaware that the items they've purchased have since been found dangerous. For example, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that almost 70 per cent of thrift stores it surveyed were selling at least one recalled product.

When purchasing a new product, always complete and mail in the registration card to the manufacture so they will know how to contact you, should their product be recalled.

To see if products you've purchased either new or second hand, locate the make, model and date of manufacture and log on to these websites:

Health Canada

US Consumer Product Safety Commission

For a list of recalled car seats, visit the BC Automobile Association Traffic Safety Foundation 
Or, call the BCAA Traffic Safety Child Seat Info Line toll-free 1-877-247-5551.

Before holding a garage sale, be sure to read these Health Canada tips.

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