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We hear about product recalls that either scare us to death or simply annoy us. But how can we know about recalls that aren't so "famous" but that do affect us? Find out the best ways to be an informed consumer, one that knows what products are being recalled and are unsafe to use.
We are a nation of shoppers, whether we hit the mall, shop on-line, trade in our old vehicles or update our appliances, even in this sluggish economy, we are buying products. Gifts for baby showers, accessories for dorms, you name it and Americans are buying it. We hear about product recalls that either scare us to death or simply annoy us.
In recent years there have been recalls on blinds after 3 deaths, recalls on women's robes after 6 deaths, an FDA warning to stop using Hydroxycut immediately and groceries from peanut butter to Nestle Toll House Dough have been pulled off of the shelves. How can consumers stay on top of product recalls? Where you can go to find consumer protection information on products that have been recalled?
Don't Toss that Card:
One way to get on a recall list is to fill out the warranty or registration card that comes with many products from high chairs to electronics to children's toys. By mailing in the card or registering on-line, you can increase the chances of being alerted if there is a recall on your product. Of course, if you move, change phone numbers or e-mail addresses, this makes it more challenging to get alerts to you.
Where to find out about Product Recalls: parents.com (Parent's magazine)
Parents are often the most anxious about product recalls for their baby equipment, gear, toys and clothing. No parent wants his or her baby riding in an unsafe car seat or playing with a toy with that has a choking hazard. Parent's magazine diligently covers baby and children recalls and offers an easy to use and updated product recall section on their web site.
Currently you can search for a specific product, look at their list of the Biggest Recalls of 2008, check the most recent recalls or check out products by category like strollers, car seats, cribs and swings.
Most Recent Recalls include:
Bugaboo Bee Strollers
Step2 Play Up Gym play sets
Trampolines
Sit'n'Stroll Child Restraint Systems
Cumberland Outfitters Girl's Hooded Sweatshirts
Where to find out about Product Recalls: recalls.gov
Federal agencies are working together to bring the information on federal product recalls at recalls.gov. Those agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This site of course is covering important product recalls but is limited to federal government recalls including:
Motor vehicle recalls
Food recall
Boat recalls
Medicine Recalls
Environmental Product Recalls
Cosmetic Recalls
Consumer Product Recalls
Consumers can access information on the recalls.gov website a couple of different ways. There are tabs for the specific areas covered such as Motor Vehicle Recalls or Food Recalls. Additionally, you can view Recent Recalls or search for specific product recalls. Information is available in Spanish as well as English.
Want to find out about potential car manufacturer recalls or problems before a recall? Now you can.
The ODI is the Office of Defects Investigation. As of September10, 2008, the ODI website was modified to make EWR, or Early Warning Reports public.
Following the Firestone tire recall, Congress approved a bill for EWR. Manufacturers have been required to submit Early Warning Reports since 2003 however this information was kept confidential. Now it is available to consumers through the ODI website.
Consumers can learn hear about potential problems and safety concerns including any fatalities reported by car manufacturers.
Finding out about Product Recalls: recalls.gov
Six federal agencies work together to share the information on federal product recalls at recalls.gov. Those agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This site of course is covering important but limited products including:
Motor vehicle recalls
Food recall
Boat recalls
Medicine Recalls
Environmental Product Recalls
Cosmetic Recalls
Consumer Product Recalls
Remember that this website will cover recalls that have been recalled by the federal government and is not all-inclusive.
You can access information on the recalls.gov website a couple of different ways. There are tabs for the specific areas covered such as Motor Vehicle Recalls or Food Recalls. Additionally, you can view Recent Recalls or search for specific product recalls. Information is available in Spanish as well as English.
You may be surprised by the number and variety of recent recalls including:
Directors Chairs
Diving Equipment
Replacement Torch Fuel Containers
Car seats
Pressure Washers/Air Compressors
Diving Masks
Wooden Toys
Children's Toys, Purses, Pen Cases
You are part of the consumer protection process!
Don't ever forget that you the consumer are part of the consumer protection process and should always report any safety hazards, safety risks or malfunctions that you discover with any product to the manufacturer and or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Posted by Lisa Carey on October 23, 2009 08:54 AM | Permalink
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