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Health Dos & Don’ts of Buying Used
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What’s the Big Deal?
You might save some
money upfront, but buying used can come with hidden costs. From bed bugs to
product recalls, things can go sideways sometimes. That doesn’t mean you
shouldn’t buy anything secondhand. But when you get that thrift store itch,
know what to watch out for and which things you should never buy used.
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Do: Be Careful With Kids’ Stuff
When it comes to toys
and children’s furniture, always check for safety recalls and make sure there’s
no lead paint involved. If you can’t find out for sure, move on. You also
should stay away from anything with missing or broken parts, or that’s wobbly when
it should be stable. And remember that older products may not have the same
safety features as new ones.
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Don’t: Buy Car Seats
This means booster
seats, too. While you can check for recalls, you don’t know a seat’s history.
Even a little fender bender could have damaged it and keep it from
protecting your child the way it was meant to. In general, they have a service
life of about 6 years. After several summer heatwaves and winter freezes, they
can break down in ways you can’t see.
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Do: Sniff Out Thirdhand Smoke
This is what smoking
leaves behind in clothes, furniture, curtains, and pretty much everything else.
It builds up over time and can last for weeks. Stay away from items you know
came from the home of someone who smoked. Since you don’t always know for sure,
it’s best to give everything you buy used a thorough cleaning.
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Don’t: Buy Cribs
Cribs made before June
2011 must not be used or sold because safety standards have changed. There also
are strict rules for things like height, how close together the slats must be,
and how the mattress fits. When you add it all up, it’s not worth the risk.
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Do: Check Strollers and High Chairs
Make sure the safety
straps are in good working order and that no sharp parts, like screws, jut out
from anywhere. And check the company’s website to be sure it hasn’t been
recalled. Fold and unfold strollers to see if they’re sturdy. Test that high
chairs aren’t wobbly and trays snap firmly into place. Keep in mind that some
older models may not be tip-proof.
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Don’t: Buy Makeup or Makeup Brushes
It might seem like a
good deal -- until you have to pay for a doctor’s visit and some medication.
Makeup and brushes touch your hands, eyes, and mouth. That makes those little
containers breeding grounds for all kinds of germs. Even the testers in stores
can be a bad idea. You can get skin rashes and serious infections. And used
makeup may no longer have labels that list ingredients and warnings and tell
you how to use them safely.
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Do: Wash and Dry Clothes and Linens
If you’re concerned
about bedbugs -- and most of the time, you probably should be -- go straight to
the dryer. Washing alone won’t kill them. Run everything through on high heat
for 30 minutes. Take any bags the items came in to your outside trash right away.
For things that can’t go into the washer and dryer, dry cleaning will get the
job done.
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Don’t: Buy Helmets
From bikes to horse
riding, most helmets are made to hold up through only one crash. Or one drop on
a hard surface. Once that happens, the foam inside squeezes and won’t protect
you the same way, even if it looks fine. Plus, older helmets don’t necessarily
meet the same safety standards as new ones, and the materials can break down
over time.
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Do: Ensure Halogen Lamps Have Shields
The bulbs in tall
torchiere lamps can get twice as hot as your oven. If a curtain touches it, it
can catch fire. Look for one with a wire or glass shield over the bulb. And
even if the label says otherwise, don’t go any higher than a 300-watt bulb.
It’s also good to check for a polarized plug, where one side is wider than the
other. And make sure the cord isn’t frayed and that the lamp doesn’t have any
bent, rusted, or loose parts.
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Don’t: Buy Swimwear or Underwear
While used clothing is
generally fine, you don’t want these items used. Because of where they sit on
your body, a whole other level of germs come into play. That includes genital
infections and small amounts of poop. And swimsuits tend to wear out quickly,
so you’re not really saving much money in the long run.
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Do: Look for Bedbugs in Furniture
These critters can crawl
into the tiniest seam or crack and go a year without eating. Once you have
them, they’re brutal to get out. They can be in most types of used furniture,
but you’re more likely to find them in mattresses or items with soft fabric, like
sofas. Check these things very closely, looking for bugs, eggs, and signs of
their poop, which looks like tiny black dots.
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Do: Know Your Allergies
If you’re allergic to
dogs or cats, it’s probably the dried skin flakes, known as dander, that affect
you. And they’re sticky, so they easily cling to clothes and other fabrics.
Look for hair or fur to give you a warning sign. Washing clothes and linens
will help. And furniture made of wood is a lot easier to clean than that almost
perfect vintage sofa.
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Don’t: Buy Tires
Like car seats and
helmets, there’s just too much you can’t know about their history. Were they in
an accident? Driven at really high speeds? Towing loads that were too heavy?
All those can cause damage you can’t see. And every tire has an expiration date.
They’re only good for 6 years, whether you use them often or not.
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Do: Check the Plug on Hair Dryers
Water and electricity
are deadly together. As long as it’s plugged in, a hair dryer has electricity
raring to go, even if it’s turned off. Newer ones protect you with a bulky plug
that has red and yellow switches on it. It cuts off the supply of electricity
if it gets wet. Don’t buy older models that don’t have this feature. And check
that the cord is in good shape.
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How to Find Out About Recalls
From washing machines to
strollers, pretty much anything can be recalled for safety reasons. To find out
if there’s been one for something you’re interested in buying, get the brand
and model, then check the manufacturer’s website. Older products may no longer
be on recall lists, so you may want to give the company a call to be sure. You
can also check with the government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission
at www.cpsc.gov.
This tool does not provide medical advice.
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