There are plenty of products on the market today that are unsafe. Some will be recalled in the future, and there may be some that are in your home right now that have already been recalled. It’s important to take steps to keep your children safe from these products, since they could cause serious injuries.
To do this, you should know that there are some commonly recalled items to keep an eye on. They include products such as:
- Cosmetics
- Toys
- Medications
- Child safety seats
- Food
It’s a good idea to keep updated on current recalls and to look for specific items that you purchase often or use regularly. Before you purchase a new product, it’s wise to look it up and see if it has been recalled. This is particularly helpful with larger items like child safety seats or toys.
What should you do if an item you own or possess has been recalled?
If something you have has been recalled, it’s important to look at the recall notice and see what the company, manufacturer or government agency is saying to do with it. Some recalls will state the problem and ask you to return the item for repair or a replacement. Others will ask you to throw away the product due to its defects or risks.
Normally, the seller replaces a defective part or product for the consumer. Sometimes, consumers are refunded the cost of the product.
Where can you look to find out more about safety recalls?
Some good government websites to look up safety recalls include:
- gov, which publishes information about children’s car seats and vehicle safety
- USDA.gov, which issues recall information for eggs, poultry, meat and sausage
- gov, which lists all current food recalls as well as cosmetics, veterinary drugs, pet food, medicines and other items
- gov, which lists all current recalls from federal agencies (you can also sign up for emails from Recalls.gov to stay updated)
- gov, which reports food recalls across the U.S.
Using these sites and monitoring what you bring into your home can help you keep your children safe. If a product does cause injuries, then it’s important to report the incident as soon as possible.
