A quick safety checklist for secondhand Christmas lights, inflatables, children’s toys and electric decorations.
Secondhand holiday shopping is a great way to save money, but a few categories deserve a closer look before you bring them home. Here is the checklist we use ourselves.
Electric decorations and lights
- Check cords for cracks, fraying or exposed wire
- Look for a safety certification mark from a recognized testing lab on the cord or tag
- Make sure plugs are not bent or scorched
- Indoor-only lights should not go outside
- When in doubt, pass
Very old light strings and decorations with original wiring are best treated as display pieces unless a qualified person has checked them.
Inflatables
Check that the fan runs, the fabric has no large tears, and the stakes and tethers are included. A missing fan or power supply is usually a dealbreaker.
Children’s toys
- Search the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website for recalls on the brand and model
- Check for small parts if the toy is for a child under three
- Look for cracked plastic, loose battery covers and sharp edges
- Avoid toys with button batteries that are not secured behind a screw
- Clean and sanitize everything before gifting
Ride-ons and outdoor toys
Check brakes, wheels and frames. Buy new helmets rather than used ones, since you cannot know a used helmet’s history.
Artificial trees
Make sure all sections and the stand are included. Pre-lit trees should have working lights in every section, since replacing built-in strands can be a pain.
Ask the seller
Honest sellers will tell you what they tested and what they did not. If a seller cannot answer basic questions about an electric item, take that into account.
Why holiday items need extra care
Holiday decorations and toys are used for a few weeks a year and stored for the rest. That long storage can hide problems. Wiring dries out, plastic becomes brittle, batteries leak, and pests sometimes find their way into boxes. Many holiday items are also electrical and used for hours at a time, often near paper, fabric and dry trees. That combination makes a quick safety check worthwhile for anything secondhand.
The good news is that most used holiday items are perfectly safe. A few minutes of inspection is usually enough to separate the good finds from the ones to skip.
A closer look at electrical safety
Electrical decorations deserve the most attention. When inspecting lights, animated figures, light-up villages and similar items, look for:
- Damaged insulation: cracks, brittle sections, cuts or exposed copper anywhere along the cord
- Heat damage: discoloration or melting near bulbs, sockets, plugs or transformers
- Broken sockets: cracked or missing bulb sockets can expose live parts
- Loose connections: plugs that wiggle or cords that pull away from fixtures
- Missing fuses: many light strings have small fuses in the plug; check that the compartment is intact
- Outdoor ratings: only items rated for outdoor use should be used outside
When you plug in a used decoration for the first time, do it on a clear surface, stay with it, and watch for flickering, buzzing, warmth or odd smells. Unplug immediately if anything seems wrong.
Batteries and battery compartments
Battery-powered toys and decorations often sit with batteries inside for months. Old batteries can leak and leave corrosion on contacts. Before buying or using:
- Open the battery compartment and look for white or green crust
- Remove old batteries and dispose of them properly
- Clean minor corrosion carefully, following trusted guidance for the battery type
- Check that battery doors close securely, especially on children’s items
Button and coin batteries are particularly dangerous if swallowed. Any product with these batteries should have a secure compartment, ideally closed with a screw, and should be kept away from young children.
Toys for different ages
Children’s products have age recommendations for good reasons. When buying used toys:
- Babies and toddlers: avoid small parts, long cords, and anything that can break into small pieces. Check that stuffed toys have secure eyes and seams.
- Preschoolers: look for sturdy construction and non-toxic materials, and check for sharp edges.
- Older kids: check that ride-on toys, scooters and bikes have working brakes and secure parts, and pair them with new helmets.
Older toys may not meet current safety standards, especially regarding materials and small parts. For young children, many families prefer newer used toys from reputable brands.
Checking for recalls
Recalls happen more often than many people realize. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a searchable database of recalls. Before buying a used children’s product, search by brand and product name, and look for model numbers on the item. Recalled products should not be bought, sold or given as gifts, unless the recall has been addressed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Used holiday items should be cleaned before use. For hard plastic toys, wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. For fabric items, follow care labels. For electronics, wipe surfaces with a slightly damp cloth while unplugged, avoiding openings. Decorations that come from long storage may need airing out to remove musty smells.
Buying from reputable local sellers
Safety also depends on who you buy from. Sellers who describe items honestly, mention what they tested and answer questions clearly are more likely to sell items in good condition. In our community, we encourage sellers to share condition details, and buyers to ask questions before meeting. A short conversation can prevent wasted trips and unsafe purchases.
When to buy new instead
Some items are better bought new: helmets, car seats, cribs, mattresses, and anything where you cannot confirm safety. For decorations, consider buying new extension cords and timers, since they handle a lot of electricity during the season. Secondhand shopping saves money, but safety is never the place to cut corners.
Questions to ask before you pick up
- Did you test it this season?
- Is anything missing, like the stand, fan, remote or power adapter?
- Has it been stored indoors or in a garage?
- Do you know roughly how old it is?
- Can I see it plugged in when I come by?
Sellers who answer clearly are usually the ones with items worth buying.
Meet safely, too
Safety is about the pickup as well as the product. Meet in public for small items, bring a friend for larger pickups, and use a payment method you trust. Our buying and selling safely page has the full checklist.
Questions we hear about used holiday items
Are old Christmas lights safe to use?
Only if they are in good condition, show no damage and have been checked. Very old lights are best used as display pieces or replaced with modern versions.
How do I check whether a toy has been recalled?
Search the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website using the brand, product name and model number. Many manufacturers also post recall information on their own websites.
Can I return a used item if it does not work?
Private sales are usually final, which is why testing and asking questions before paying matters. Platform purchases may follow that platform’s policies.
What is the safest way to pay for a used item?
Cash at pickup or a trusted payment app after you inspect the item. Never pay with gift cards and never use payment links from strangers.
Should I buy a used artificial tree?
Yes, if all sections, the stand and any lights are working. Ask for photos of the tree assembled and check for missing branches or damaged hinges.
Teaching kids about safety
The holidays are a natural time to talk with kids about safety. Show them how to plug in decorations safely, explain why some ornaments are only for display, and teach them to tell an adult if they see a damaged cord or a broken toy. Older children can help check lights and decorations before they go up. These small lessons build lifelong habits.
Safety beyond the item
Holiday safety also includes how decorations are used. Keep trees watered if they are real, keep decorations away from heat sources, turn off lights when you leave home or go to bed, and avoid overloading outlets. A secondhand decoration in good condition is perfectly safe when used responsibly. A little care helps everyone enjoy the season without worry.
Key takeaways
- Inspect every electrical decoration for cracked insulation, heat damage, broken sockets and loose plugs before you pay.
- Treat very old light strings as display pieces unless a qualified person has checked them.
- Open battery compartments, look for corrosion, and make sure button-battery doors close securely.
- Search the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database before buying any used children’s product.
- Match toys to the child’s age, and buy helmets, car seats and cribs new.
- Clean and sanitize everything before it goes under the tree.
- Ask the seller what they tested, meet safely and pay with cash or a trusted app.
None of this takes long. A five-minute check at pickup is usually all it takes to turn a bargain into a safe, happy part of the season, and to skip the occasional find that is better left behind.
Safe, then special
Once safety is covered, the fun part is making the season feel personal. For kids, nothing does that quite like hearing from Santa himself, especially when Santa clearly knows what they have been up to.
Got a storage find you want to sell, or something specific you are hunting for? Tell us what you have or join the local Facebook group.