Last Updated: December 9, 2024
Many of us are preparing more food or gifting more toys this month. Every meal and every gift should be joyous, and paying attention to recall notices can help!
Recalls let consumers know if there have been possible illnesses or injuries associated with items they’ve purchased.
How do I find out about recalls?
There are lots of good resources for tracking recalls:
- Food recalls appear on foodsafety.gov, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC.
- Toy safety features on SaferProducts.gov and through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Many local news sources will also highlight recalls in your area.
What do I do if I’ve bought a recalled product?
- Most importantly, do not eat or use the product!
- Many recalls will include information about returning the food or toy for a refund.
- If the product can’t be returned, dispose of it safely. Some recalls will include instructions.
- In the case of a food recall, clean surfaces, drawers, or utensils that came into contact with the food.
There’s so much to consider with toy safety! How do I keep the kids in my life safe?
Recall or no, follow these tips to ensure all holiday gifts are safe for kiddos:
- Make sure any toy you buy is age appropriate. Children under 3 should not use toys with small parts that can easily go into a mouth. If you’re not sure about size, try fitting toy parts through a toilet paper roll—toys smaller than that will definitely pose a choking hazard.
- Follow all packaging instructions about safe usage.
- If you’re gifting a bike, skates, or scooter, add a helmet to the package!