WASHINGTON (AP) -- A spot check of some of the nation's 9,500 thrift shops suggests that nearly 70 percent of them were selling at least one item that has been recalled, banned or violates safety standards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said this week.
There are no federal laws barring such sales, but the commission advises consumers to be doubly careful when shopping in second-hand stores and is urging states to adopt legislation policing what the stores sell."The products found pose a danger of death or injury to consumers," CPSC head Ann Brown said in a statement. "Many consumers and thrift store operations may be unaware of recalls, bans and current safety standards of products offered for sale in the stores."
The CPSC visited 301 randomly selected thrift stores nationwide from May through September of this year and found 69 percent were selling at least one hazardous product.
The top three products found were children's jackets and sweatshirts with drawstrings that present a strangulation hazard, hairdryers that do not protect against electrocution and cribs that do not meet current safety standards.
The agency is distributing a checklist for thrift stores and shoppers to check for information on recalls, bans, current safety standards and how to contact the CPSC.
It is available on its Web site, www.cpsc.gov.