Every day in the United States dozens of dangerous products are recalled. Recall notices are issued by various government agencies, manufacturers and retailers but are the consumers who use those products receiving notice? A recent survey in August of 2010, by the Consumer Reports Reseach Center shows they aren’t.
The survey of 2000 households which focused on products, food and medicine showed that only 8% were very confident that government agencies get appropriate safety information from manufacturers and retailers.
Nor were consumers very confident that they’re getting needed information from manufacturers and retailers either. Almost half (44%) of those surveyed by Consumer Reports saw avoiding lawsuits as the leading reason behind recalls by manufacturers and retailers; only 39% cited safety.
Americans expressed doubts about whether they’re getting adequate recall information from government agencies, schools, and media sources.
Survey participants stated that receiving appropriate safety information is critical to them, especially when it comes to children’s products. On a 1 to 10 scale, medicine, food, kids’ toys and sporting equipment, and nursery furniture all received scores of 8.7 or higher.
So what can you do to ensure you are getting the notices that you need to keep your family safe?
Return the product registration cards when you purchase products. Product registration cards are the number one way for manufacturers to get the word directly to consumers about recalled items, yet 58% of those surveyed rarely or never filled out product registration cards.
Sign up for email alerts from the three government agencies responsible for recalls notices.
For products go to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).
Medication and food recalls and notices are handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For auto recalls visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Do research. When buying a product or a car do some research, find out what the companies safety record as a whole has been. Where was the product manufactured? Was it in a country with strict manufacturing guidelines or a country you have never heard of? Go with your gut, if it feels unsafe stop using it and contact the manufacture.
Ask questions. When your doctor gives you a prescription for medication ask him what the possible side-effects are. Has there been any concern over the medications safety. Has there been a black box waring issued for the medication. Read the paperwork that comes with every prescription dispensed in America. Make sure you know what you are taking, why and that it is safe.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective product, contact the the defective product lawyers at the Alexander Law Group, LLP by email or call 888.777.1776. All calls free and confidential.
