Garage sales; child safety
Garage sales are popular events this time of year. They certainly provide one option for getting rid of the extra things cluttering our lives. I seldom search out the sales, but have on occasion felt the entrepreneurial spirit and had one.
One occasion was a community sale at our local rink. My friend Kay and I rented a table, gathered items we no longer needed or wanted and hauled them to the rink. No men were in sight as it was seeding time. The weather had suddenly turned warm and it was the first nice day of the year. Everyone in the community felt like being outdoors, not inside the rink where they had huddled out of the cold for the last seven months. Because of the beautiful day, we really didn’t want to be there either, but had committed ourselves.
Read Also
Crop profitability looks grim in new outlook
With grain prices depressed, returns per acre are looking dismal on all the major crops with some significantly worse than others.
Once unpacked and settled in, it was a leisurely day chatting with one another and the few people that did attend. The day was not without the unexpected. Kay sold her floor polisher and my little white patio table found a new home.
When closing time came, it didn’t take long to count the cash. We packed our stuff up, once again, and headed home. We were thankful the fellows were busy that day. They would not have been amused at hauling everything there, let alone home again.
Organizing a garage sale
Pat Katz, in her books Getting It Together – How To Organize Your Work, Your Home and Yourself and Home Tips – Organizing Strategies For A Streamlined Home Life, printed and produced by Centax Books, provide many practical tips on getting ready for and running a garage sale. These books are available at bookstores and public libraries. To order call 306-565-8240.
Think safety
I was surprised to read that we could be held responsible if someone suffers an injury because of a product purchased at our garage sale. We could also be subject to huge fines, imprisonment or both. The items we offer for sale must meet safety standards.
The following is a partial list of products that must meet safety standards under the Hazardous Products Act. The hazards identified for these products are meant to draw attention to some of the most common problems.
When selling or purchasing products at a garage sale, it is wise to avoid any item that is not in good condition.
Baby gates: Baby gates that have large diamond-shaped openings and large “Vs” at the top can no longer be sold in Canada. Children can get caught in these openings and choke.
Baby walkers: Baby walkers must be designed not to go through a doorway of 90 centimetres (35.4 inches). The seat should have a lap belt and the walker should be sturdy. There are none available now that meet this 1989 standard.
Car seats: Car seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and carry the compliance label stating the size of the child for which the seat is designed. All straps, including the tether strap, must be present. Seats that are cracked or broken are unsafe and must not be sold. For more information, contact the Canadian Automobile Association, Consumer Information Department.
Children’s sleepwear: Loose garments including nightgowns, bathrobes, baby doll pyjamas and loose pyjamas are especially flammable if made of cotton or cotton blends. These fabrics should be made of polyester, nylon or polyester/nylon blends to meet the flammability requirements set out in the regulations. In loose fitting garments, air on both sides of the fabric creates a chimney effect. In these conditions cotton will burn quickly, causing burns all over the body, whereas polyester and nylon type fabrics will melt causing burns in a small area.
Cribs and cradles: Only cribs manufactured since 1987 and in good condition meet safety regulations. Among other safety features, these have a mattress support system that is bolted or secured into the end panel and should not become dislodged as a result of normal use.
Playpens: Mesh-sided playpens should be made of mosquito-type netting. The sides should be at least 48 cm (19 inches) high. Playpens must not have sharp edges or hinges that can pinch fingers. Make sure there are no loose or torn parts, such as the vinyl top rail or floor pad. Safe playpens do not have more than two wheels.
Strollers: Regulations require that strollers be equipped with a lap belt, or some other type of safety restraint that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. Ensure that there is a secondary safety latch on the stroller to prevent the product from accidentally folding, that the brakes work and the wheels are fixed tightly. Always check for sharp edges and loose parts.
Toys: If toys are in poor repair or broken, they are not safe. Toys with sharp edges, or points or those with loose eyes or noses are potential hazards. Toys with small parts are not suitable for children under three years of age. It is illegal to sell lawn darts with elongated tips in Canada.
Hockey helmets , face protectors: They must meet CSA standards. Helmets that are cracked or broken no longer meet the standard and are unsafe.
The Canadian Standards Association’s audits and investigation group has plenty of nightmarish scenarios involving electric blankets, coffee makers, deep fat fryers and other products. Exercise care when holding your garage sale. Only offer items for sale that are in good working order.
For more information on the safety of a particular item, or for general inquiries, contact Health Canada, product safety. The following are their offices in Western Canada:
- 3155 Willingdon Green, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 4P2, 604-666-5003.
- 840 Canada Place, 9700 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, T5J 4C3, 403-495-2480.
- Room 282, Harry Hays Bldg., 220 – 4th Ave. S.E., Calgary, T2G 4X3, 403-292-5613.
- Room 412, Federal Bldg., 101 – 22nd St. East, Saskatoon, S7K 0E1, 306-975-4028.
- 510 Lagimodiere Blvd., Winnipeg, R2J 3Y1, 204-983-2846.
Removing dish stains
Ways to remove rust stains from dishes were listed in the Feb. 13 issue of How Do You Manage? In addition, the following solution has been sent in by a reader.
Dear TEAM: This works and it’s cheap!
I had a set of Corelle dishes that had turned yellow from our water. I tried several things and nothing worked until a friend told me about this.
Fill a large pot (canner or dutch oven) 3Ú4 full with water. Add 2-3 cups (500-750 mL) fresh or frozen chopped rhubarb. Bring to a boil. Then just keeping mixture warm, put in your dishes. Within a minute or less they will be sparkling white. This also works on clear glasses that have yellowed.
Most people have rhubarb growing so it is easy to obtain. For me it was a miracle to see how quickly it worked.
Soften marshmallows
Dear TEAM: Would you know how I could use marshmallows that are going hard, or could they be softened up? – V.L., Dewberry, Alta.
Dear V.L.: A little heat will soften marshmallows to some extent. One way is to put them in a plastic bag, seal well, and dip in hot water. Using the microwave on very low power is possible but touchy, as some spots melt.
A slice of bread or apple slices inserted in the bag with the marshmallows works very well.
The hard marshmallows can be melted and used in recipes such as Rice Krispie cake, popcorn cake and some desserts.
Popcorn cake
1Ú4 cup butter or 50 mL
margarine
1Ú2 cup vegetable 125 mL
oil
11Ú2 pounds (11Ú2 bags) 750 g
marshmallows
5 boxes (56 g size) 5
Smarties
16 cups popped 4 L
popcorn
In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, oil and marshmallows. Pour over popcorn and stir together. Add Smarties. Pack into greased 9 x 13 inch (22 x 33 cm) pan. When cool, cut into squares.
Nuts, gum drops or other candy can be substituted for the Smarties.
Raspberry-mallow squares
Crust:
1 cup all-purpose 250 mL
flour
1Ú2 cup butter or 125 mL
margarine
2 tablespoons 30 mL
granulated sugar
Filling:
3 ounces 85 g
raspberry flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling 250 mL
water
15 ounces frozen 425 g
raspberries, partly thawed
32 large white 32
marshmallows
1Ú2 cup milk 125 mL
1 cup whipping 250 mL
cream (or one envelope of topping)
Crust: Mix flour, butter and sugar until crumbly. Press into ungreased 9 x 9 inch (22 x 22 cm) pan. Bake in 325 F (160 C) oven for 15 minutes or until a tinge of brown.
Filling: Stir gelatin and water together until dissolved. Add raspberries. Mix together. Chill until syrupy. Pour over crumbs. Chill.
Melt marshmallows in milk in heavy saucepan or top of double boiler. Cool.
Whip cream until stiff. Fold into cooled marshmallow mixture. Spread over firm raspberry jelly. Chill. Cuts into nine servings.
Source: Company’s Coming Desserts by Jean Pare, published by Company’s Coming Publishing Limited.
