Navigating Baby Product Recalls
When Should Recalls Be Followed and When Is Common Sense in Order?
Jan. 3, 2009— -- A long list of baby products was recalled in 2009. But how do you know when you need to follow the letter of the law when it comes to recalls? How many accidents are avoidable with just a little common sense?
Carley Roney, editor-in-chief of thebump.com, answers some of these questions in a recall reality check. She breaks down how serious recalls are, what products get recalled the most, and keeping your children safe.
ABC News: Let's begin with how important product recalls are. Is it just the company trying to protect themselves or are they really imperative?
Carley Roney: Parents should always pay attention to product recalls for their baby and themselves to be aware of the consequences. If there have been reported injuries resulting in a recall and it's not just voluntary, then it's something that should be taken very seriously. It's also the company's responsibility to work with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to immediately notify consumers if there is an issue with one of their products. Of course companies also want to protect themselves as well.
ABC News: 2009 began and ended with the biggest recall in baby product history -- from cribs to car seats. What went wrong?
Roney: 2009 saw the largest crib recall in history. Stork Craft had more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs recalled that were made between January 1993 and October 2009. The problem was in the crib's drop-side plastic hardware, which caused pieces to break or go missing. The drop-side could also be installed upside down which causes it to detach and creates a space between the rail and crib mattress where a child can become trapped and suffocated, or even fall. Maclaren, a leading stroller company, recalled about one million strollers that were produced from 1999 to now. When the stroller is being unfolded or opened, the hinge mechanism posed a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard. There were 12 cases in the past 10 years where the stroller's hinge mechanism amputated children's fingertips. It's important to add this was not while the children were in the stroller.
