Product manufacturers issue product recalls all the time, usually for safety reasons but occasionally for defects as well.
How do you know if you have a product that has been recalled? Here are a few simple steps you can take to help you ensure the products you and your family use are safe:
1. Register everything. Any product you buy that comes with a mail-in registration card should be registered. It takes maybe, oh, three minutes or so of your time, and many of them now include a check-box to opt out of the manufacturer’s mailing list—in case that’s what’s been stopping you.
2. Keep a logbook. Get a spiral notebook, a loose leaf binder, a bound journal-type book, whatever you prefer, and keep a purchase log. I’ll be going into more detail about purchase logs later, so don’t worry if you’re not sure how to handle this.
3. Log On. Visit www.recalls.gov, the new (as of federally mandated portal to combine all the recall information from six different government agencies. This site combines info from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in one easy-to-use location.
www.recall-warnings.com is a site which lays everything out in easy to read categories and offers an RSS feed for information on automotive recalls, however, it looks as though the site has not been updated since July of 2004, so I would verify any information you find there with another source.
The Consumer Reports website is another good resource. You can find their recall page at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/consumer-protection/recalls.htm. They do offer a disclaimer stating that they only list selected recalls, based on how widely the product was sold and the estimated number of people affected.
You can also log directly onto the manufacturers’ websites and they will usually have recall information posted.
4. Sign Up. Most online news outlets offer customization of the type of stories they deliver; make sure you have yours set to alert you to stories about product recalls.
5. Keep An Eye Out. Most places that carry consumer products have a bulletin board or other location where they post product recall information on products they carry or have carried. Many stores, such as Toys R Us and Wal Mart, have it posted in the store’s entrance area.
Using one of the methods above you’re found out you own something affected by a recall—now what?
Immediately stop using the product in question, if possible. Sometimes it isn’t feasible to stop using a product right away, especially in the case of vehicle recalls.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or the government in conjunction with the recall. Never just throw away a recalled item unless the recall specifically says to do so. Even in the case of items the manufacturer tells you to toss, you are frequently asked to call them first for reimbursement or replacement and will need the manufacturer’s codes off the product.
Keep an eye on product recalls and keep your family safe.