Advice on Baby Product Recalls

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/tips-navigating-baby-product-recalls/story?id=9467465&page=2

There were a number of recalls on baby products in 2009. It can be hard to know how serious the recalls are and how to keep your children safe. Parents should always pay attention to recalls, especially if there have been reported injuries resulting in a recall, and it's not just voluntary.

2009 saw the largest crib recall in history. More than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs were recalled because of risks of entrapment, suffocation, or fall. Maclaren, a leading stroller company, recalled about 1 million strollers in 2009 because of a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard.

If you have a product that has been recalled, take action. Depending on if the recall was voluntary or not and what injuries were reported, some parents may opt to continue using the product, stop until they receive a repair kit from the company, or try to return the item and get something else. If you have had an incident with a product you bought, it is important that you notify the CPSC so they can look into it and protect the public.

To make sure that you know when something goes wrong with a product you have, register it. A lot of companies allow you to register an item online. This ensures that you'll be personally alerted if anything is found to be wrong with the product. Another easy way to stay informed is to subscribe to an alert. You can subscribe to a recall alert feed on thebump.com. It's a special section on the web site dedicated to updating parents about the latest recall news.