A recall only protects you if you hear about it. A few minutes of setup makes that much more likely.
What to remember
- Different agencies announce recalls: the CPSC for most household products, NHTSA for car seats and vehicles, and the FDA and USDA for food.
- Registering products with their makers means you can be contacted directly.
- Stop using a recalled product right away and follow the remedy offered.
- You can report an unsafe product to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.
Recalls are announced all the time, from toys and strollers to dressers, appliances and food. Most families only hear about the big ones. Here’s how to catch the rest.
Who announces recalls
| Product | Agency | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Toys, cribs, strollers, furniture, appliances | Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) | CPSC.gov |
| Car seats, vehicles, tires | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) | NHTSA.gov |
| Most food, infant formula, medicines, cosmetics | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | FDA.gov |
| Meat, poultry and egg products | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service | FSIS.USDA.gov |
Recalls.gov brings these together in one place, which is handy when you’re not sure which agency covers a product.
Set up alerts once
- Register new products. Fill in registration cards or register online, especially for car seats, cribs, strollers and high chairs. If there’s a recall, the company can contact you.
- Subscribe to alerts. The CPSC and NHTSA both offer free email updates.
- Keep model numbers handy. A photo of each product’s label in a folder on your phone makes searching quick.
Parent tip: Check secondhand items before they come home. Our guide to buying used baby gear explains what to look for.
When you find a recall
- Stop using the product. Recalls are issued because of a real risk, even if you’ve never had a problem.
- Read the remedy. It may be a repair kit, a replacement, a refund or instructions for disposal.
- Contact the company through the phone number or website in the notice, and keep copies of what you send and receive.
- Don’t pass it on. Selling a recalled product is illegal, and giving it away simply moves the risk to another family.
Safety alert: Don’t try to fix a recalled product yourself unless the recall notice tells you to. Use the free remedy the company provides.
For car seats, NHTSA’s website lets you search recalls by brand and model, and our guide to choosing a car seat explains why registering yours matters.
Reporting a problem
If a product injured someone or nearly did, you can file a report at SaferProducts.gov, the CPSC’s public database. Vehicle and car seat safety problems can be reported to NHTSA. Reports help the agencies spot hazards and can lead to recalls.
A product that’s simply broken, without a safety issue, is a warranty matter instead. See how product warranties work.
Parents also ask
Do I need the receipt to get a recall remedy?
Often not. The recall notice explains what’s needed, and many only ask for the model number, a photo of the product or proof that it has been disabled.
Can a store or online seller still sell a recalled item?
Federal law makes it illegal to sell a recalled consumer product. If you see one for sale, you can report it to the CPSC.
How can I hear about recalls automatically?
Sign up for email alerts from the CPSC and NHTSA, register car seats and other products with their manufacturers, and check Recalls.gov when you buy secondhand.
This guide is general information for U.S. shoppers, not legal advice. Safety rules and store policies change, so follow the product’s instructions and labels and check official sources such as CPSC.gov, NHTSA.gov and FTC.gov.