Consumer Product Safety: Protecting Your Family During the Holiday Season

The holiday season brings excitement and new products into our homes. But with increased shopping comes increased risk of purchasing recalled or unsafe products. Here's how to protect your family.

Before You Buy

Check RecallPedia First

Before purchasing any toy, electronic device, or home product, search for it on RecallPedia. Pay special attention to:

• Brand name
• Product type
• Recent recalls in the category

Look for Safety Certifications

• UL Listed - Electrical safety tested
• ASTM - Toy safety standards
• JPMA - Juvenile products certification

High-Risk Holiday Products

Toys

• Choking hazards - Small parts for children under 3
• Button batteries - Severe injury if swallowed
• Magnets - Dangerous if multiple magnets are swallowed
• Lead paint - Still found in some imported toys

Electronics

• Lithium battery fires - Common in hoverboards and cheap chargers
• Overheating - Laptops, tablets, and phone chargers
• Electrical shorts - Holiday lights and decorations

Home Products

• Furniture tip-overs - Dressers and bookshelves
• Space heaters - Fire and burn risks
• Holiday decorations - Fire hazards from lights

What to Do If You Receive a Recalled Product

1. Stop using it immediately for Class I recalls
2. Keep it away from children
3. Contact the retailer for return or refund
4. Register with the manufacturer for recall notifications
5. Report injuries to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov

Register Your Products

Many manufacturers offer product registration. This ensures you'll be notified directly if a recall is issued. Take a few minutes to register:

• Car seats
• Cribs and baby products
• Major appliances
• Electronics with batteries

For the latest consumer product recalls, check CPSC.gov and search RecallPedia regularly.