Each month, this series will provide important facts and tips surrounding child safety in an effort to support parents and caregivers as they navigate reducing risks and creating the safest environment possible for the children in their lives.
New parents and caregivers often get excited to purchase and secure all the special items they need to take care of their sweet new bundle of joy! From cribs to car seats and everything in between, while companies are held to stringent safety standards, some products can pose unexpected risks and injuries leading to product recalls.
Whether adding new products to a store registry or shopping secondhand, it’s important to avoid unsafe items and understand how to manage these product safety recalls effectively to keep your children safe.
Research Goes a Long Way for Safety
Product recalls on baby and children’s items are more common than most people think. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), thousands of products are recalled each year due to safety concerns in the United States. Specifically, baby cribs, strollers, car seats, baby swings and other essentials. When you’re adding products to your baby registry or picking out what to buy yourself, research exact makes and models to ensure there haven’t been any risk of injury or death reported resulting in a recall.
Use Caution When Using Secondhand Items
There is absolutely nothing wrong with saving money and being sustainable by utilizing secondhand purchases or hand-me-downs for your children. You do, however, want to pay extra attention to these items that have been on the market longer than their newer counterparts to make sure a recall wasn’t issued in the past. Just because something is off the store’s shelf doesn’t mean customers dispose of items properly. For instance, despite the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper being recalled in 2019 after 32 infants died, at least 70 more deaths have been linked to the sleeper, according to the CPSC.
Always Take Recalls Seriously
It can be both frightening and frustrating to find that an item you’ve been using with your little one has been recalled, but it’s crucial to stop using the product immediately. This includes removing it from your baby’s environment completely and making sure it’s out of reach for anyone else to inadvertently use it. Recalled items should never be donated or sold, but instead taken apart and destroyed.
When an item is recalled, look for specific instructions from the manufacturer. This typically includes the reason the product was recalled, any and all potential risks involved and what steps to take next. In many cases, the product manufacturer or even the retailer will offer a replacement, repair or complete refund depending on the recall details.
Reporting Safety Concerns & Incidents
Should you suspect or encounter a safety hazard or incident with a product, you’ll want to report to relevant authorities. Once you check to see if this item has already been recalled, you can contact the CPSC or appropriate regulatory authority as well as reach out to the manufacturer. Typically, you can find this information with a quick Google search. Remember, your report could help prevent injuries for other children and families.
Helpful Resources
- US Consumer Product Safety Commision – cpsc.gov/Recalls
- Safe Kids Worldwide Recall Notification Emails – click here
