Baby Carrier Recalls
How to Stay Current on Baby Carrier Recalls
In an effort to better inform parents about the latest child product safety information, the US government has simplified communications between multitudes of agencies charged with consumer product safety. One major step forward has been the creation of a one-stop website for parents shopping for information about product safety: www.recalls.gov.
In the past many common child-related items, including baby carriers, have been subject to recall. Unfortunately, not all parents are aware of the latest safety information, and the baby carrier you buy today could face a safety issue tomorrow.
Recalls: No Guarantee of Safety
When the government determines a baby carrier could be defective or dangerous for any reason, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can order the manufacturer to stop selling the questionable product and pull existing inventory from store shelves. But it is essential for parents to understand that even if a product is recalled, the responsibility for removing that item from the home or childcare center falls largely to the consumer. The danger remains, too, that recalled products may still be sold at home garage sales or in stores dealing in secondhand merchandise. In other words, to be certain your baby carrier is safe, parents must do some homework.
Being Prepared Means Being Current
The good news is that the government has made it easy to keep up to date on baby carrier safety bulletins as well as research past recalls. Parents can receive automatic notification of baby product safety recalls simply by calling the CPSC and requesting to be added to their mailing list. Their phone number is 800-638-CPSC. You can also sign up online at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Remember to urge any friends and family members who may have occasion to care for your child to take a safety inventory of the baby carriers they own.
Tips to Ensure Baby Carrier Safety
- Always complete and send in registration cards that accompany purchases. Manufacturers cant notify you of possible safety issues unless they have your contact information
- Search for specific baby carrier safety information by product type at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/recalldb/prod.asp.
- Search for specific baby carrier safety information by manufacturer at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/recalldb/firm.asp.
- Check for recent recalls at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.
Remember to use these sites to find info before buying a second-hand product as well as learning about products you already own.