The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission administers and enforces laws that protect consumers from unreasonable risks from the products they buy. Many products are highly regulated, and others have minimal guidelines.
In some cases, manufacturers voluntarily set standards to ensure consumer safety. Here are some examples of voluntary product recalls:
- Yamaha Corp. of America recalled benches sold with grand pianos on Feb. 21, 2017, because the paint on the interior compartment contains excessive lead.
- On Feb. 1, 2017, Restoration Hardware recalled dining room tables with metal tops that contain lead.
- Britax recalled their B-Agile and BOB Motion strollers with a “Click & Go” feature Feb. 16, 2017, because the car seat can fall off the stroller frame without warning if the receiver mount is damaged.
Numerous other products are recalled every week by the Consumer Product safety Commission (CPSC) due to fall hazards, risks of tipping over or risks of overheating or fire.
The CPSC does not endorse or recommend particular products or brands. They do provide information about safety features to look for when shopping for many items, from cribs to pools to ATVs to home wiring products.
Additionally, the commission includes many safety education messages on their website. For instance, there is information on childproofing your home for various ages of children. Visit the CPSC website for more information and for the latest product safety recalls.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
