TIPS AND TRICKS

What to Know About Product Recalls
The vast majority of consumer products in the United States are safe. This is a testament to our infrastructure and the network of governing agencies tasked with making sure everything meets strict criteria (There’s a reason you don’t really worry about a glass of milk making you sick or a lawnmower exploding when you start it up.) Still, no system is perfect, and hundreds of product recalls occur each year, including plenty of toys and baby products that kids and parents might use every day.

The same agencies that promote and enforce the standards that make most consumer products quite safe also handle processes designed to inform the public about dangerous products and remove them from circulation. With the notable exception of car seats, which are regulated by the National Highway Transportation Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the regulator for toys and baby products in the United States.

While product recalls are relatively rare, they still happen, and it’s important to be aware of how the process works and what they can do to make sure the stuff their kids use is safe.

You can learn more about recalls here.