Children's Product Recalls

Every year, children's products such as cribs, strollers, car seats, toys, infant sleep products and even medicines are recalled because of safety problems. A recall doesn't help your family unless you hear about it. This page explains where to check for recalls, how to get alerts and what to do if something in your home is recalled.

Where to Check for Recalls

• Toys, cribs, strollers, furniture and other household products: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can also report unsafe products at SaferProducts.gov.
• Car seats and booster seats: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Search by car seat brand and model.
• Medicines, infant formula, baby food and many foods: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• All government recalls in one place: Recalls.gov.

How to Stay Informed

1. Register new products. Fill out the registration card that comes with cribs, high chairs, strollers, car seats and other durable infant products, or register on the manufacturer's website. Manufacturers use this information to contact you directly.
2. Sign up for email alerts from the CPSC and NHTSA.
3. Check before you buy or accept used items. Hand-me-downs and secondhand purchases are a common source of recalled products, especially cribs, play yards and car seats.
4. Keep product information such as model numbers and manufacture dates, often printed on a label under or behind the product.

What to Do If a Product Is Recalled

• Stop using the product right away, and keep it away from children.
• Read the recall notice carefully to learn the hazard and the remedy (repair kit, replacement or refund).
• Contact the manufacturer as directed in the notice.
• Don't sell, donate or give away recalled products.
• For a recalled medicine or formula, ask us before switching products if your child has special needs.

Hazards Parents Should Know About

Infant sleep products

Inclined sleepers and crib bumpers are no longer allowed to be sold in the U.S. because of infant deaths. Babies should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets current safety standards, with no pillows, blankets or bumpers. Read our guide to safe sleep for babies.

Button batteries and magnets

Swallowed button batteries can cause severe internal burns within hours, and swallowing more than one small, powerful magnet can cause serious intestinal injury. Keep remotes, key fobs, toys and other devices with these items secured and out of reach. If you think your child swallowed a battery or magnet, go to the emergency department immediately.

Furniture and TV tip-overs

Anchor dressers, bookcases and televisions to the wall. Children climbing on furniture can cause it to tip over.

Small parts

Children under 3 often put objects in their mouths. Follow age labels on toys and keep small parts, balloons and coins away from young children.

Questions?

If you're not sure whether a product is safe for your child, ask us at your next visit. You can also find more safety information on our car seat recommendations page and in our article on preventing injuries at play.