Tips to find out about product recalls

There are two big issues with product safety:

First, when products are recalled, the system for notifying consumers who may have purchased the item long ago isn’t good.

And second, while companies test many products they sell to consumers and regulators try to make sure products are safe, the vast majority of consumer products don’t have mandatory safety standards.

Here are some ways to get alerted to recalls and maybe even avoid buying an inferior product to begin with.

• If you’re considering buying a product, especially an expensive purchase or an item for a child, check for recalls on cpsc.gov/recalls and for complaints on saferproducts.gov
• The government logs lists of various types of recalls online. Besides CPSC recalls, try recalls.gov for recalls across other consumer protection agencies.
• Fill out online or mail-in registrations that come with products. Then companies can contact you in case of issues.
• Use extra caution when buying from resale websites. It’s illegal for the primary or secondary platforms to sell recalled products, Individual consumers offering products for sale may not know an item has been recalled. Check on cpsc.gov/recalls before you buy.
• Use even more caution when buying products being shipped from overseas or from websites that seem unsophisticated or that give you pause. International sellers may not comply with U.S. safety standards, and unethical sellers may peddle all sorts of previously recalled or unsafe merchandise.
• With your appliances, electronics, toys or other items used by children, and with any other category of products where recalls are common, search periodically for recalls involving your possessions on cpsc.gov/recalls and search for complaints on saferproducts.gov
• If you experience an issue with a product and want to warn other consumers and report it to regulators, you can file a report at saferproducts.gov