E.S. commenter James Shelton wrote in with this advice for those of you who are concerned about the new safety regulations that will force many thrift stores to throw away the clothes for kids on their shelves next month. As another commenter noted, the law will also affect handmade clothing on sites like Etsy.com.

Mr. Shelton’s advice:

Contact Nancy Nord at the Link Below:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/commissionernord.aspx

Sample message:

Please exclude second hand clothing stores from testing all clothes already worn by other kids for years as part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It would be a great waste of resources to throw out all of these clothes and these stores can not test all clothes. In these trying economic times families need these clothes at reduced prices more than ever. These clothes have already been worn by kids. This would cause thrift stores everywhere to file for bankruptcy and affect such non-profit organizations as the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Please do what is best and let these stores continue to serve the community.

We’ve already submitted our letter of protest and if issues of waste, frugality, or supporting handmade are important to you, we hope you do the same.

ImBornAgain Applique Halter Dress and Jeans Set, $25 at Etsy.com.