PennDOT has issued an alert warning buyers to beware when browsing at yard sales.
PennDOT issued the alert in advance of the 100-mile Yard Sale this weekend in Centre, Clearfield, Elk and Cameron counties.
Specifically, PennDOT says there are certain items shoppers should avoid purchasing second-hand: child car seats and helmets.
“When purchasing a car seat at a neighborhood sale, the history of the seat cannot be known for certain,” says PennDOT in a prepared statement. “The seat may have been involved in a crash or have structural issues including stress cracks and broken rivets. It may also be expired or recalled.”
Officials say most car seats expire after six years, and if the model has been recalled, the item has a safety deficiency.
Additionally, motorcycle or bicycle helmets purchased second-hand may have suffered damage diminishing their ability to protect properly.
“Each is made to sustain the forces of one crash and could have been dropped or damaged without showing outward signs of harm,” says PennDOT.
Some helmets also have expiration dates.
PennDOT also cautioned yard sale patrons to be mindful when entering and exiting the roadway and to park in safe places off the roadway.
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