What to do with recalled products

Product recalls have been in the news constantly for the past two years now. This past year there were 563 recalls administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the government agency that oversees the safety of more than 15,000 types of products. This was an increase of 19 percent over the previous year’s recalls.

To make matters worse, many of these products remain in the home or end up being sold as a second-hand product. Only a small percentage of recalled products are ever returned.

So what do you do with a product once it is recalled? First of all, stop using it. Second, don’t throw it away—you are entitled to a refund, exchange, or a repair kit depending on the problem and the manufacturer’s agreed solution to the recall.

If your product is recalled, check the manufacturer’s Web site or go to the recalls page of the CPSC Web site to see the press release. On the release you can find out the “fix” for the product. Sometimes there is a replacement part and other times you are entitled for a full refund. The CPSC will list all the phone numbers and Web sites that you need. In the event of a refund, often it is as simple as returning it to the store.

If the recalled item was a child-restraint seat, you can also check the manufacturer’s Web site or go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and check the recalls page. This page lists all of the car seats that have been recalled since 1990. Again, you will either be entitled to a new car seat, a refund, or a repair kit to fix the problem.

To stay on top of daily recalls, you can sign up for the CPSC recall alert or check the Consumer Reports safety blog.

Finally, don’t donate the product to a charity or sell it in a tag sale. It could end up injuring or perhaps killing someone. Return or exchange it, and keep it out of harm’s way.