Baby product recall: What to do
It can be jarring when you learn that a product in your home has been recalled. What happens after a recall is initiated is very crucial and it’s where the system fails the most. This a product you’ve been using with your infant, thus the feeling is intensified tenfold.
How you react after learning you’ve got a dangerous kids product in your home, can literally be the difference between life and death.
As noted by Scott Wolfson, the spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, knowing about and responding to a product recall can be a lifesaver.
The good news is that when getting the recall news, it’s most likely your child is still safe from the product, and as a good parent return the product to prevent any injury in the future.
The First Thing To Do After A Baby Product Recall?
The short answer is to heed the recall. For example, if your baby crib is recalled with a clear warning that the child should not be allowed to sleep in it until it is fixed, then seek alternative sleeping arrangements.
When you find out about a baby product recall, get in touch with the manufacturer. A recall comes with 1-800 number for those affected, and manufacturer’s press release about what to do next.
If you can’t find the contact information or the website, always visit the consumer product safety commission’s website at CPSC.gov.
The contact information is available under recall section; you just need to search.
Registering Baby Products In Case of Recall
The recalls period presents good arguments for the customer to register your baby products immediately; there is always forms enclosed with the products. It’s a requirement to register the product after purchase, thus the company/manufacturer can easily contact you when a recall is issued.
If you didn’t register and threw away the forms, call the manufacturer with the model number and among other pertinent products information. This also ensures you’ve genuine product and not a counterfeit.
The Manufacturer’s Amends
Normally, when a product is found to defect, do not meet safety standards, or causes injury & damage to consumers, the company reports the issue to CPSC and initiates a recall. In other cases, the CPSC following the complaint from consumers and their analysis may compile the company to initiate a recall. The manufacturer needs to make efforts to notify the public and their customers of the hazard, and get as many defectives products out of homes and stores as possible to prevent any further damages and injury.
The CPSC will still help the consumer to get them more. The manufacturer will always be quick to act, as the want to instill a positive experience.
Generally, baby products recall common remedies to hazards include insurance of a free repair kit, replacement of the warning labels to correct verbiage, replacing the product defect parts, and removing the dangerous piece of the product with no replacement if the piece is not essential.
You can also return the product to the store for an exchange, a refund; or even refund directly from the manufacturer and disposal of the product with a replacement.
Note: always get in touch with the store/manufacturer prior throwing away any parts or products, failure to follow the set guidelines and procedure, your will obsolete your replacement or refund.
If You Feel Enough Has Not Been Done
Always make a suggestion to the amends if you feel the Company or manufacturer has not done enough. During a recall, the Company’s priority should be repairing relationship, reputation, and customer satisfaction.
If you choose a refund be sure to follow-up and receive your compensation.
In severe cases where you are seeking damages as a result of injury caused by the product, seeking the advice of a lawyer can be a good idea. An attorney specializing in this field can work on your behalf and accomplish more than you may be able to on your own.
Should I Fix Recalled Baby Products on My Own?
You shouldn’t try to fix a recalled product on your own unless the CPSC and the manufacturer instruct with guidelines or an install repair kit. Fixing it yourself may not hold for long, and in most cases makes your subsequent claims on the product void. You may even run the risk of inadvertently introducing other hazards to your baby.
There have been infant deaths related to Do-It- Yourself crib repairs; and the CPSC warns against trying to fix broken or recalled cribs on your own.
Keeping Baby Safe Before a Baby Product Recall
Before the recall happens, you need to keep your baby safe. With a registered product the manufacturer will contact you directly in case a recall is issued.