Recalls

As a parent, you’re doing everything you can to keep your adorable little ones safe. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that the products they use have not been recalled.

A recall is when the government and the manufacturer take a product off the market because it’s dangerous and could seriously harm a child. Cribs, car seats, strollers, toys, clothing and other nursery items for infants and toddlers are among the most frequently recalled products. There are on average over 100 children’s products recalled per year, that’s two products every week.

It’s illegal to sell recalled products, but even when they are removed from stores they still show up for sale in second-hand shops, garage sales and swap meets. A product can look like it’s in good shape when you examine it and still have been recalled because it poses an injury risk. Even kid-tested products from friends or family are unsafe and shouldn’t be used until you check to see if they’ve been recalled. Just because a product did not harm their child, does not necessarily mean it is safe.

Millions of recalled products are still being used. Chances are you have a recalled product in your home. The only way to know is to look it up.

• When a product is recalled, efforts are made to get it out of stores, but recalled products still end up in second-hand stores, thrift shops, garage sales or swap meets.
• People aren’t always aware that they are selling you or giving you a recalled product, so it’s important for parents or anyone buying a product for a child to look it up.
• We’ve put together the best links for you to learn more – Product Recall Resources

 

• Watch the videos above to learn more about the most recalled items
• Check the products you have at home to make sure they haven’t been recalled. Look up products by product type or manufacturer or see the most recent recalls
• Before you buy a product at a second-hand store, thrift shop, garage sale or swap meet, look it up to make sure it hasn’t been recalled
• Don’t use a product given to you by friends or family until you check to see if it’s been recalled

1. Sign up to get email alerts when products are recalled
2. Check Consumer Reports for safety ratings and reports before buying new products
3. Use this app when out shopping to check for recalls. Shopping at Target? Check products on their app
4. Register your products to receive updates from the manufacturer. See how to register your products
5. Report products you believe are unsafe
6. Use this checklist anytime you’re buying, selling, donating or receiving second hand items

• Nursery products including cribs, strollers, high chairs and pacifiers -These types of products have been recalled due to the risk of falls, entrapment, lacerations, and even amputation
• Clothing -Clothing gets recalled because of drawstrings that can be a strangulation hazard, detachable snaps or buttons that are a choking hazard or if Federal flammability standards are not met
• Outdoor sports equipment -Trampolines, swings, bicycles, skates and skateboards can have defects
• Toys – Small pieces that come apart can be a choking hazard or and some materials have lead

• Bodily injury, like broken bones, cuts, bruises and falls
• Strangulation and suffocation
• Choking
• Burns
• Ingestion (swallowing or eating)
• Lead poisoning
• Drowning