How do you stay up to date on product recalls? Do I really need to fill out all the information cards that come with every product? What do I need to do if a product is recalled? Our contributor, Sheena, helps answer all your questions about recalls.
As parents, we always want the best for our children. We have an innate drive to protect their safety, and it begins as soon as that pregnancy test turns positive. From that moment on, life changes. I can vividly recall being pregnant with my first child and spending countless hours researching the newest, top-rated, and safest baby gear. I quickly learned that there is no shortage of information available, which felt very overwhelming many times, especially as a first-time parent. We all decide based on our intuition, combined with the best knowledge that we have, and more often than not, it works out.
Accredited laboratories in the US undertake baby product testing to ensure safety and industry standards. “Children’s products,” which are defined as consumer products designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger, undergo third-party testing and have a written Children’s Product Certification (CPC) for safety. Despite rigorous testing, it is important to know that manufacturers can recall baby and children’s gear at any time if unexpected safety events raise concerns about possible injury or death. A recall might involve repairing a part of the item, or it might necessitate a complete recall requiring return/disposal with a possible refund or replacement.
After the excitement of the baby shower and nursery setup, complete and mail every product registration form with your up-to-date contact information. In the unlikely event of a recall, you will be notified and can take the appropriate action. If you have received second-hand gifts or family heirlooms without a product registration form included, there are multiple resources to keep handy to monitor for recalls. I recommend everyone consider registering on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website where you will get notifications on any potential recalls, and you can determine if your product is one of the makes/models affected. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has a section entitled “Recalls & Public Health Alerts.” And the US Food and Drug Administration website includes a sign-up to receive recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts.
Before I became a parent, I couldn’t even imagine how much there is to worry about when it came to the well-being of my children. Especially so much which was, and continues to be, out of my control. However, there are steps we can take to be proactive and ensure that we are doing our best to raise children that are safe, well-cared for, happy, and loved.
