See Things you should not buy used

       

 

You can save good money by buying used items. Here are some health dos and don'ts of buying used things.

What’s the problem?

You can save some money upfront, but buying used things can come with hidden costs. From bed bugs to product recalls, things can go sideways at times. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy anything secondhand. But when you get that savings store itch, know what to watch out for and what things you should avoid buying them used.

         

       

Do: Being Careful With Kids’ Things

When it comes to toys and children’s furniture, always ensure safety of recalls and make sure there’s no lead paint involved. If you can’t find out for sure, move on. You also should avoid anything with missing or broken parts, or that is wobbly when it has to  be stable. And remember that older products are not likely to have the same safety features as new ones.

         

Don’t: Buying Car Seats

This includes booster seats, too. When you can check for recalls, you don’t know a seat’s history. Even a little fender bender may have damaged it and kept it from protecting your child the way it was meant to. In general, they have a service life of around 6 years. After several summer heatwaves and winter freezes, they may break down in ways you can’t see.

           

    

Do: Buying Thirdhand Smoke

This is the effect of smoking  in clothes, furniture, curtains, and pretty much everything else. It builds up over time and may last for weeks. Don't buy items you know came from the home of someone who smoked. Since you don’t always know for sure, it’s safer to give everything you buy used a thorough cleaning.

               

Don’t:  Buying Cribs

Cribs made before June 2011 should 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. At the end of it all,after consideration, you'll conclude it’s not worth the risk.

       

   

Do: Checking Strollers and High Chairs

 

Ensure that 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 certain older models may not be tip-proof.

Don’t: Buying Makeup or Makeup Brushes

It might seem like a good deal -- until when you have to pay for a doctor’s bill and some medication. Makeup and brushes touch your hands, eyes, and mouth. That makes those little containers breeding places for all kinds of germs. Even the testers in stores may not be a good idea. You can contract skin rashes and serious infections. And used makeup may no longer have labels that list ingredients and warnings and inform you on how to use them safely.

         

      

Do: Washing and Drying Clothes and Linens

If you’re worried about bedbugs -- and most of the time, you probably should be -- go straight to the dryer. Washing alone can’t kill them. Run everything through on high heat for 30 minutes. Take any bags the items came in to your outside dustbin right away. For things that can’t go into the washer and dryer, dry cleaning will have the job done.

         

           

Don’t: Buying Helmets

From bikes to horse riding, most helmets are made to hold up through just 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 seems still OK.In addition, older helmets don’t necessarily meet the same safety standards as new ones, and the materials might break down over time.

       

     

Do: Ensuring Halogen Lamps Have Shields

The bulbs in tall radiance lamps can turn twice as hot as your oven. If a curtain touches it, it can catch fire. Try to cet one with a wire or glass shield over the bulb. And even if the label indicates 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 is not frayed and that the lamp doesn’t  contain any bent, rusted, or loose parts.

         

     

Don’t: Buying Swimwear or Underwear

While used clothing is generally fine, you don’t need these items used. Because of where they sit on your body, a quitte number of germs come into play,such as genital infections and small amounts of poop. And swimsuits tend to wear out fast, so you’re not really saving much money in the long run

                  

Do: Looking for Bedbugs in Furniture

These critters may crawl into the tiniest seam or crack and go a year without eating. Once you bring them in, they’re difficult 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. Watch these things very closely, looking for bugs, eggs, and signs of their poop, which looks like tiny black dots.

             

 

Do: Knowing Your Allergies

If you’re allergic to dogs or cats, it’s likely 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 much easier to clean than that of almost perfect vintage sofa.

          

Don’t: Buying Tyres

Like car seats and helmets, there’s quite a lot you can’t know about their history. Were they in an accident? Driven at really high speeds? Towing loads that were very heavy? All those can cause damage you can’t foresee. And every tyre has an expiration date. They’re only good for 6 years, whether you use them frequently or not.

           

   

Do: Checking the Plug on Hair Dryers

Water and electricity are dangerous together. As long as it’s plugged in, a hair dryer has electricity raring to go, even if they are switched 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 insure that the cord is in good shape.

            

How to know About Recalls

From washing machines to strollers, 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 look for the manufacturer’s website. Older products may no longer be on recall lists, so you may need 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.