From the blog – HotAir.com, Ed Morrissey advices on getting ready for summer, cleaning out the old stuff and setting up the yard sales.

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/05/09/check-with-the-cpsc-before-putting-up-that-yard-sale-sign/

Thanks to the new consumer product safety law, though, you now need to download a CPSC pamphlet and start researching each item on your driveway in case of recall:

Thinking of having a yard sale this weekend? Before you do, be sure to consult CSPC Publication #254 [PDF].

This handy 28-pager from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds the American people that, thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (which I have blogged about here and here), the government is totally in charge of your yard sale…

“This handbook will help sellers of used products identify types of potentially hazardous products that could harm children or others. CPSC’s laws and regulations apply to anyone who sells or distributes consumer products. This includes thrift stores, consignment stores, charities, and individuals holding yard sales and flea markets.”

The effects have already been felt by small retailers who have neither the time nor the resources to check everything they have on their shelves.

It starts feeling a lot like we are in wonderland – curiouser and curiouser!