Product Recalls: Your Participation Keeps Kids Safer

Whether an item is sold for children or adults, it’s easy to assume that products we bring into our homes are safe. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. When we bring a product home, one of the first things I do before using it is check to see if it has been recalled. But if consumers like you don’t report the safety issues you experience, I won’t know if it’s safe for my family.

Here in the United States, product safety requires our active participation. Even when safety standards exist, some products aren’t tested prior to being sold. Other products don’t have safety standards at all. When products break or present other types of safety risks, filing a report alerts regulators and manufacturers so the problem can be addressed.

It’s easy to report any issues with the products you have at SaferProducts.gov. File a report even if no injuries occur, the product is older, or if the product was purchased online. Your report will help keep all families safer by raising awareness about unknown safety risks.

Here’s a quick review of your role in the recall and product safety process:

1. Do a pre-check: Before you purchase an item, read product reviews online and check for reported safety issues at SaferProducts.gov.
2. Register your products: Look for registration websites and QR codes in product information or fill out registration cards and mail them back. If any issues are reported, you’ll be notified.
3. Get recall information: Sign up for email reports from US CPSC. By having the information delivered directly to your inbox, it’ll be at your fingertips when you’re ready for it.
4. Follow recommended actions on recalled products: If a product you own and registered was recalled, do something about it! The manufacturer will likely tell you to destroy and throw away the product, return it, or contact the manufacturer for new parts to fix or replace the product.
5. Report unsafe products: Even if there are no injuries, report any product issues at SaferProducts.gov.

For a deeper dive on this topic, check out my previous blog on secondhand products and recalls.