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| |    Seven Sensible Tips for Evaluating Product Recalls by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. Because keeping your child safe is one of your prime concerns, the word "recall" is probably quick to get your attention-and, in some cases, make you fearful. While recalls are unquestionably of great importance, there are some things you should know when it comes to interpreting them and how they affect your family's health and safety. 1. Understand the basics of product recalls Quite simply, recalls serve to warn you, the consumer, about potentially unsafe products-toys, baby equipment, clothing, food, and just about any other product you can think of. These products might pose everything from a choking risk for young children to fire hazards that could endanger people of all ages. So who determines if a product needs to be yanked off the market? Mainly three key government agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2. Register your purchases For many products, the best way to keep up-to-date when it comes to recalls is to send in the registration form whenever a product you buy comes with one. This simple but often neglected task gives the manufacturer a direct way of informing you of potential risks, as well as letting you know about how to get replacement parts, a new model, or a refund. 3. Be on the lookout for recalls Newspapers and TV news programs publicize large recalls, but you shouldn't rely on the media as your sole source of information about recalls. Doctor's offices, daycare centers, schools, baby-product shops, and toy stores often post child-related recalls on bulletin boards, and many pediatric and parenting-related websites post recalls as they are issued. You also can go straight to the source by looking at the websites for the government agencies responsible for issuing the recalls: CPSC, USDA, FDA. 4. Pay attention to the details Many parents hear that a product similar to one they own has been recalled and immediately panic. You should realize that recalls apply to specific products that are manufactured by a specific company, and often only to those products manufactured in a certain time period or in a certain lot. The recall notices are careful to include model numbers and other identifying information so you'll know exactly which products are involved. 5. Take note of why a product is being recalled In some cases, the product is perfectly safe for some uses, but not for others. A good example is the recent recall of car seats because the handles can release and cause an infant to fall or be injured when used as a carrier. While this problem undoubtedly needs to be fixed, you should also realize that these same car seats are safe to use in the car. 6. Don't panic If you find yourself the owner of a recalled product, don't panic. Recalls simply allow you to fix a potential problem or avoid certain dangers before they happen. As a parent, the thought of what might have happened is really the worst part of a recall--as long as you take action to address the problem. 7. Distill the safety message Even if you don't own the particular product being recalled, consider how the risk it offers might apply to products you do own. For example, one of the most common types of recalls related to the safety of young children involves choking hazards. While you may not own the exact toy being recalled, take the time to consider what you do have around your home that might also pose a choking risk. Similarly, when a certain type of children's pajamas is recalled because it doesn't meet flame-resistant standards, tuck this reminder in the back of your mind and think about it the next time you buy your own child a set of new pj's. Bottom line: Recalls are put out to serve you. By being recall-savvy, you can use them to keep your family safe and happy. For more general information, as well as links to the government regulatory agencies, see our Consumer Alerts Overview.
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