Holiday Shopping: Protect Your Family from Dangerous Products

No doubt you’ve heard that you should buy your gifts now to avoid pitfalls such as delays, shortages, and markups. However, there’s an even bigger risk that holiday shoppers may face. We’re talking about purchasing a defective product capable of causing injury or death.

Unfortunately, defective products are all too common. Millions of people suffer preventable injuries every year due to a flaw in the design, manufacturing, or labeling of a product. Here are tips for avoiding and reporting faulty products. Plus, learn what you can do if you get hurt.

Where to Find Product Recalls

Recalls can help protect consumers from products that may cause injuries, illness, or death. It is best to find out if the manufacturer has recalled a product before you purchase it, especially if you are shopping for a child. Items like toys and child safety seats are often subject to recalls.

Recalls.gov is the leading online resource for recalls. Created by six federal agencies, this website serves as a comprehensive list of U.S. Government recalls. You can view recent recalls, search for recalls, and even sign up for email alerts to receive information about new recalls.

Recalls involving consumer products can also be found by visiting cpsc.gov/recalls. Meanwhile, for recalls involving child car seats, you are encouraged to go to www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. 

What to Do If You Purchase a Defect Product 

Many recalls are issued after enough consumers file safety complaints. You can submit a complaint about an unsafe or mislabeled product to the government. For example, reports can be made to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission via saferproducts.gov. 

Of course, sometimes a report is not enough, especially if a product causes serious injury or death. If you or your child were hurt by a defective product, compensation may be available.

 Discuss Your Legal Claim for Free

Boulder product liability attorney Chris Jeffress is passionate about helping people injured by faulty consumer products. Call 303-993-8685 today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Jeffress Law, PC. serves Longmont, Broomfield, and nearby Colorado areas.