Everyone is looking for ways to save money during the holiday season, so it’s natural to visit consignment shops, thrift stores, and other resale outlets in person and online. But keep in mind that where you shop may be as important as what you buy. While these stores provide great options for holiday shoppers, parents should be extra careful and be sure to check products against the CPSC’s website or with a product recall mobile app.
Once a manufacturer’s product leaves its primary supply chain, it can be difficult to track and remove goods from the marketplace. Also be careful of hand-me-down toys and items purchased at thrift stores and second-hand shops, particularly if they come without product assembly instructions or the original packaging. Toys and children’s products that are assembled incorrectly or used in ways that were not originally intended can put children at risk.
– Mike Rozembajgier is vice president of recalls for Stericycle ExpertRECALLTM , a logistics and regulatory compliance firm in Indianapolis that helps companies manage recalls.
