It seems as if every other day there is another recall of a nursery product due to safety issues -- as if parents don't have enough to worry about when they have a baby. Just in the first few months of 2012, recalls were issued for Carebears pacifiers, a cloth crib fringe, Bumbo baby seats, bassinets, Kenta child carriers, several strollers, and a couple of high chairs. In July 2012, the CPSC issued a press release about the risk of strangulation from baby monitor cords, following a recall in February 2011, which ConsumerSearch discussed in depth here. There is currently a campaign to require warning labels on all baby monitoring equipment.
This is a serious issue. In 2010, 81,700 children were treated in emergency rooms as a result of a baby product injury, according to the latest data from the CPSC. Children are injured, maimed, or even die from products that are found to be defective, often years after they are put on the market. This means that the item may have changed hands one or more times, so the chances that the current owner will never hear about the recall are high.
It's natural to assume that if you see a product in your local Toys R Us or Target, it's going to be safe. Unfortunately, most people never find out that it might not be until it's recalled -- sometimes a year or more later -- or until their child gets hurt.
Our advice is this: Don't make that assumption. Instead, try these tips to be proactive about choosing a safe product: Read more
