How to Check If Any Product in Your Home Is Recalled

Right now, there are likely recalled products sitting in your kitchen, garage, or nursery. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fewer than 10% of recalled consumer products are ever returned or repaired. That means millions of potentially dangerous items remain in American homes. Checking whether your products have been recalled takes just a few minutes and could prevent serious injury.

Why You Should Check Your Products for Recalls

The CPSC estimates that recalled consumer products cause hundreds of injuries and deaths each year in the United States, many occurring after the recall has already been announced. Federal agencies issue thousands of recalls annually, but most consumers never hear about them. Recalls cover everything from toasters and space heaters to children's pajamas and medication. If a product in your home poses a fire risk, choking hazard, or contamination issue, you want to know before something goes wrong.

Where to Find Model Numbers and Lot Numbers

Before you can check if a product is recalled, you need identifying information. Here is where to look.

Kitchen appliances: Check the bottom, back panel, or inside the door. Look for a sticker or engraved plate with the model number and manufacture date.

Electronics: Check the underside or rear panel for model and serial numbers. For phones, look in Settings under "About."

Baby gear: Car seats have a label on the shell or base. Cribs have a label on the mattress support or interior rail. Strollers have a tag near the frame joint.

Toys: Look on the bottom, inside the battery compartment, or on the packaging for lot or batch numbers.

Food products: Lot numbers and best-by dates are near the UPC barcode, on the bottom of cans, or on bag seals.

Furniture: Check the underside of tables, the back panel of dressers, or underneath upholstered frames for a manufacturer label.

Take a photo of each label. Having this information on your phone makes searching for recalls much easier.

Step-by-Step: Using RecallPedia Search

RecallPedia aggregates recall data from the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, and other federal agencies into a single searchable database.

Step 1: Enter the product name, brand, or model number into the search bar.

Step 2: Review the results. Each listing shows the recall date, reason, severity classification, and recommended action.

Step 3: Match the details. Compare lot numbers, model numbers, and date ranges in the recall notice against your product. Not every unit is necessarily affected.

Step 4: Follow the instructions. The recall listing will tell you whether to stop using the product, return it, request a repair kit, or contact the manufacturer.

Checking FDA.gov and CPSC.gov Databases

You can also check directly with the agencies that issue recalls.

FDA.gov covers food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. Visit the FDA Safety Recalls page to search by product type, brand, or date.

CPSC.gov covers consumer products like furniture, toys, electronics, and appliances. Search by product category, company name, or hazard type. Report unsafe products at SaferProducts.gov.

NHTSA.gov covers vehicles, car seats, and tires. Enter your VIN to check for open recalls on your car.

Each agency maintains its own database, which is why a unified search tool like RecallPedia saves significant time.

Category-Specific Tips

Baby Products

Prioritize checking cribs, bassinets, car seats, high chairs, and infant sleepers. The CPSC has issued dozens of recalls for inclined sleepers due to suffocation risks, and many remain in homes and secondhand markets. Always register baby products with the manufacturer.

Kitchen Appliances

Pressure cookers, blenders, and toasters are frequently recalled for burn hazards and electrical malfunctions. If an appliance sparks, overheats, or smells like burning plastic, stop using it and check for a recall.

Electronics

Laptop and phone batteries are common recall targets due to overheating and fire risks. Third-party chargers are another frequent source. If your device swells or gets excessively hot, check for a recall or battery replacement program.

Toys

Small parts, button batteries, and high-powered magnets are the three biggest hazards. Button batteries are especially dangerous because they can cause fatal internal burns if swallowed. Audit your toy collection if you have children under three.

Food

Food recalls move fast. Products contaminated with Listeria, Salmonella, or undeclared allergens may already be in your refrigerator. Check your fridge and pantry immediately when you hear about a food recall. Match the brand, lot number, and best-by date. When in doubt, throw it out.

Setting Up Alerts for Future Recalls

CPSC email alerts: Subscribe at CPSC.gov and filter by product category.

FDA alerts: Subscribe to FDA safety alerts for food, drug, and medical device recalls.

NHTSA alerts: Enter your VIN to receive email notifications for vehicle-specific recalls.

Register your products: Whenever you buy baby gear, appliances, or electronics, fill out the registration card. Manufacturers are required to notify registered owners directly.

Bookmark RecallPedia: Make it a weekly habit to check for any products in your home.

What to Do When You Find a Recalled Product

Stop using the product if the recall notice advises it. For Class I recalls, discontinue use immediately.

Follow the remedy instructions. Most recalls offer a free repair, replacement, or refund.

Contact the manufacturer if you have difficulty obtaining the remedy. Most companies have dedicated recall hotlines.

Dispose of it safely if no remedy is available. Cut cords, remove batteries, and make the product unusable before discarding.

Report injuries to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov if anyone was hurt.

Common Mistakes People Make with Recalls

Ignoring Class II and Class III recalls. Class II recalls can still cause reversible health problems, and Class III issues may indicate a pattern that escalates. Take every recall seriously.

Not checking gifted or secondhand items. Products received as gifts or purchased at garage sales are just as likely to be recalled. Always check secondhand items before using them.

Failing to register products. Registration is the most effective way to ensure you are notified. Take two minutes after every purchase to register.

Assuming a product is safe because it works. Many recalled products function perfectly. The defect may only manifest under specific conditions like extended use or overheating. A product does not need to be visibly broken to be dangerous.

Not checking regularly. A product that was safe when you bought it six months ago may be under recall today. Build a habit of periodic checks.

Taking a few minutes to check for recalls is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your family safe. Start with the items you use most and work your way through. Bookmark RecallPedia, set up your alerts, and make recall checking part of your routine.

Search RecallPedia for any product in your home or visit CPSC.gov and FDA.gov for official recall databases.