Keeping Your Family Safe: The 411 on Recalls
Luckily, the toy in question, is still in it’s box unopened, in a huge pile, with the other gifts I still haven’t gotten around to open and assemle yet. A bit of over-kill this holiday season to say the least. Said "overkill" turned out to be a good thing after all. Her call worried me, so I did some fishing around. And wouldn’t you know it, mom was right. The very same toy (that was next on my list for assembly) was recalled after “three reports of young children getting their necks lodged between the seatback and the side table of the toy”. Recalls are very serious matter, but if you blink, or run to the refrigerator for a snack—you just might miss the important information. My mother, who knows every toy, article of clothing her beloved grandchildren own, is always on the job when it comes to recalls. From binky’s to Boppy’s, she’s given me the 411 on things I have around the house that has been recently recalled. Years ago, she gave me a ring in the morning: “You know that light blue jacket, with the teddy bears on the hood, well it’s been recalled. The zipper is faulty and poses a choking risk for infants.” “I had no idea.” I said. “Thanks mom, good to know.” Toys are supposed to fun. The last thing any parent wants is for a child to be seriously injured by something they play with. But it happens all the time. There are always new recalls to be aware of. Chances are -- there are a few things in your home that have already been recalled. How are you supposed to keep up to date on all this information? For those parents who do not have the luxury of a phone call from my mom to give them up-to-date, accurate information on the latest product recalls, this is one website to visit and add to your “favorites”. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) is the best place to go to find important information about recalls. According to their site, “The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children.” The press releases they provide are easy to understand. They list the full name of toy or product, a picture, the name of the manufacturer, a product description, the incidents and injuries involved the hazard, and where the product was sold. CPSC also gives pertinent information on the remedy, and who to contact for a return or refund. Another great feature that is useful to busy parents is that you can sign up for free e-mail announcements that will alert you to new recalls and safety information. When it comes to our kids, you can never do too much to protect them from unsafe toys and products. Things you would never believe could actually harm a child have been recalled due to the risk of injury they pose. Who knew a zipper can just fall off, or a bicycle handlebar can just crack for no apparent reason---but they do. The risks of everyday products and toys are countless. It’s scary. Lucky for me, my mom’s on the job. But just in case, I signed up for my e-mail announcements as a back up Janene Mascarella
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It happened again. My mom called me on the phone to tell me one of the toys my daughter received for Christmas (an infant musical toy chair), has been recalled. The night before, she watched a segment on the 11:00 news that named the toy, and the hazards it can cause young children. I also watched the news that night, but never even heard the story. 