The hazards that come up again and again
A few hazards account for most recalls of children’s products. Small parts, magnets and button batteries that can be swallowed. Lead or other banned substances in paint and plastic. Drawstrings on clothing that can catch on playground equipment. Sleep products that put an infant at an incline or allow a gap where a baby can be trapped. Walkers and furniture that tip.
Many recent notices involve products sold only online, by sellers with unfamiliar names. The name on the listing and the name on the notice can differ; the photos and the model details on the notice are the reliable way to identify the product.
What to do with a recalled children’s product
Take it away from the child first, then read the remedy. CPSC notices state whether the firm offers a refund, a repair kit or a replacement, and how to prove you disposed of the product, often by sending a photo of it destroyed or marked.
Do not donate, sell or hand down a recalled product. Selling a recalled product is illegal in the United States, and second-hand nursery items are a common way for old recalls to cause new injuries.