On March 26, 2012, an article in USA Today discussed Kids in Danger’s report about recalls of defective and dangerous children’s products. The report finds that in 2011 the need for recalls of children’s products decreased. While this is good news, the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, is that recalls of children’s products are often missed by those who most need to see and act on them to protect children. The Kids in Danger report reinforces Terrell • Hogan’s decision to include news about product recalls and other health and safety issues on this website. As consumer advocates, we are committed to helping keep knowledge about health and safety issues flowing; as we know, knowledge is power.
The fact that the number of recalls has decreased is good news, but the fact that so many previously recalled products are still out there capable of causing personal injury and death is concerning. More needs to be done to make sure that recalled children’s products are removed from use and the Kids in Danger report makes recommendations for improving tracking of the situation.
This Kid in Danger report is an important reminder to periodically check the products and toys your children use and play with. At Terrell • Hogan, we regularly provide updated information and web links on product recalls to help keep your family safe, but there are other sources of this life-saving information. You can also sign up for emails from the Consumer Product Safety Commission concerning toy and product recalls. You can register your child’s car seat on NHTSA’s website to receive recall notifications if your car seat gets recalled.
Kids in Danger recommends that parents check their children’s toys and products at www.SaferProducts.gov for recalls and injury reports and sign up for safety updates at www.KidsinDanger.org.
Wayne Hogan is a Florida and National board certified trial lawyer and president of the Terrell • Hogan personal injury and wrongful death law firm.