While presenting at the Illinois Head Start Conference, a workshop participant realized that her daughter had a product that had recently been recalled. The product, a pink pony hoodie, was recalled in December 2014 for a strangulation hazard. The fix was easy- if she just removed the drawstring from the hoodie the sweatshirt would be perfectly safe for her daughter to wear (Drawstrings are not allowed on children’s clothing because they present a strangulation hazard. Click here for a video about the reality of these hazards) Most recalls, however, are not as quick a fix. Here are some simple steps to follow if you do have a recalled product:
1.) Follow the remedy listed on the recall summary. You will either get a refund, a replacement, or a repair.
2.) Stop using the product even if you think ‘that will never happen to me/my child’. Many people don’t even hear about recalls and when they do, many either ignore the warning or attempt homemade repairs. The vast majority of parents who have children that have either been injured or killed by unsafe, recalled products never thought that would happen to them.
3.) Share with others to help spread the word. Children’s products are recalled often (2-3 times per week!) but very few people actually hear about these recalls. This is because the manufacturer’s commitment to marketing the product differs greatly from their marketing of the recall. Help get the word out by sharing the recall on social media or by printing and posting KID’s monthly recall digest poster.
Know too that you are not alone in this process. We realize that parents and caregivers carry a lot of responsibilities and are not always able to keep up with all this. Here’s how we can help:
1.) Follow KID online on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute recall alerts and safety news.
2.) Subscribe to our monthly email alert, we will send product recalls and safety news right to your inbox at the beginning of each month.
3.) Visit SaferProducts.gov when you’re on the go to search for a product to check if it has been reported as dangerous before you purchase it.
4.) Contact KID and the CPSC if you are having trouble with the manufacturer with your recalled product.
