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30 Sep / 2021

Amber’s Edit: What Parents Should Know When Purchasing Products for Their Children

Amber's Edit

The consumer product industry for babies and children is always a steady one. High-chairs, cribs, bassinets, toddler beds, dressers, bouncers, swings, walkers… there are so many products that come along with a newborn. But something these all have in common that you likely don’t think about on the day-to-day is widespread recalls. 

We often take for granted that products will be safe for their intended use, and while they certainly should be safe, the unfortunate reality is that numerous products are not. It’s an impossible feat to weed out all the dangers, but my team has put together some tips for limiting the purchase and use of unsafe products in your home:

  • Routinely check the CPSC website, as further discussed in the next section of this blog;
  • Register your products with the products’ manufacturers who should provide updates to customers about potential product dangers, defects, and recalls;
  • Make sure all baby and children’s products are assembled in accordance with the instructions or directions for use;
  • Adhere to all warnings identified in the instructions or directions for use;
  • Do not use broken or damaged products (especially with car seats, high-chairs, and other products that, if defective, can lead to serious or fatal injuries);
  • Ensure you follow all instructions when installing a car seat, and seek assistance from local fire departments and police stations if you need help;
  • Ensure all screws on products are tight (as children can quickly loosen them with extensive use);
  • Read multiple reviews before purchasing a product as other parents may shed light on potential dangers; and
  • Report any injuries or potentially dangerous products to both the manufacturers of those products and the CPSC.

How To Stay Up-to-Date on Product Recalls

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the agency in charge of monitoring product recalls. The CPSC also provides information on injuries and deaths associated with certain products, whether such products have been recalled or not.

Because consumer products are routinely subject to recalls, and because millions of children are injured at home each year, parents should become familiar with the CPSC to determine whether any child injury is linked to a dangerous and defective product. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse with more children staying at home.

While you can only do so much as a parent, monitoring safety and potential recall information can help reduce the chances your child will be injured or killed by a consumer product, or at the very minimum make you aware of some of those dangers that have the potential to exist – like falling furniture, contaminated food, choking hazards, etc.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help When and If It’s Needed

If your child has sustained an injury or has been killed by a defective product, you should consider consulting with an attorney. As an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer, I handle a wide range of matters that include, among others, motor vehicle accidents, product liability (both pharmaceutical and consumer), slip and fall accidents, and medical malpractice.

I also have a strong focus on representing parents whose children have been severely injured – regardless of the type of accident or injury. I am a mother too and understand the unique burden and impossible uphill battle we face each day trying to keep our children from danger. 

Hear me when I say that you deserve a full and impartial evaluation of your potential legal claims. We have an office in Alpharetta and Cumming for your convenience. 

Stay safe out there, 

Amber Gilormo, Esq.

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