Buying something online? The CHECK system can help you assess its safety and quality.
Shopping online can be like the wild west of retail, with multiple sites offering similar products or products that appear to resemble that “must-have gift” with slight variations. Because you can't see the physical product, it can be difficult to tell if it doesn't work as it should or if it’s counterfeit, mislabeled, of poor quality, not as advertised or broken.
“Products that have been recalled, banned from sale or don’t meet Canadian safety standards can pose serious health risks,” says Dr. Emily Newhouse, medical health officer, Fraser Health. “Parents need to be vigilant over the holidays for products that might pose choking and strangulation hazards. Additionally, some products contain high levels of chemicals such as lead and fire risk is always a consideration.”
Fortunately, with a bit of diligence, shopping online can be done safely.
“Health Canada has some excellent tips for consumers,” says Dr. Newhouse. “The 'CHECK' system provides information about product recalls, safety alerts and third-party sellers.”
CHECK for Safety
- Confirm the product hasn't been recalled by checking out the recalls and safety alerts database.
- Have an eye out for deals that seem too good to be true, and stay away from products with ads that have spelling mistakes and blurry photos. These are signs that the products may be counterfeit.
- If you're buying from a third-party seller, compare the ad for the product against the manufacturer's website.
- Know if you're buying a new, used or refurbished product.
- Check for a product model name or number, which you'll need if the product is recalled.
- Explore whether the consumer product or cosmetic is banned from sale in Canada and confirm if the seller is in Canada.
- Products from outside of Canada may not meet our country's safety requirements.
- Check out Bringing consumer products into Canada, which lists some of the products that must meet specific safety requirements.
- Check for product warnings, safety messages, instructions, age recommendations and certifications. If the product plugs into an electrical outlet, check that it has Recognized Canadian Electrical Product and Equipment Approval Marks.
- Know who you're buying from.
- Check out the seller's location, history and policies, and look for reputable reviews and ratings.
- Get the seller's contact information so you can reach them with questions or if there's a problem with the product.
- Learn how to spot an unsafe website and how to protect yourself from dark commercial patterns.
