How to read a CPSC recall notice
A CPSC recall notice brings several pieces of information together: the product, the issue described, the affected items, and the next steps for owners. Reading it in sections can make it easier to find what applies to you.
Start with the current notice on CPSC’s recall page. A screenshot or shared post may leave out details you need, including the company’s contact information or an updated remedy.
Product name and identifying details
The title tells you which product the notice concerns. The description usually gives more precise identifiers, such as a model number, color, size, date range, or location of a label.
Compare those details with your item. A familiar brand name or matching photograph is a reason to read further, rather than a complete match on its own. If your label is missing, ask the company how to identify the product.
The notice date is the publication date. It is different from manufacturing dates and the period when an item was sold. Keep those dates separate when checking your records.
Hazard and incident information
The hazard section describes the issue addressed by the recall. Read it alongside the instructions for owners so you understand what action the notice asks you to take.
Some notices also include reports of incidents or injuries. Those reports describe the information stated in that notice; they do not predict what will happen in your home. You do not need to wait for a problem with your own item before following the recall instructions.
For any injury or a swallowed battery or magnet, get medical help right away. In the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911. This site cannot assess an injury.
Steps
- Match the product description and identifiers to your item.
- Read the instructions about use, including any direction to stop using it.
- Find the remedy and the company’s contact details.
- Save the notice, recall number, and any information needed for your request.
Remedy and company contact
“Remedy” means the response available under the recall. It may be a refund, repair, replacement, or another action described in the notice. Read the details rather than assuming you can choose any option.
The notice may explain what to submit, where to contact the company, and what to do with the item. Keep labels and identifying information until you understand those requirements. Ask the company before taking apart or discarding a product when the instructions leave you uncertain.
The company contact in the official notice is the place to ask about your individual remedy request. Our next-steps guide can help you organize the information for that conversation.
Sales details and later updates
Retailers, sale dates, and price information can help you recognize an item. They are supporting clues; compare them with the model and other identifiers in the description.
Return to the official notice if you are following up after some time. Contact information or remedy details may change. For child car seats, use NHTSA recalls and read the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular recall rather than applying a CPSC product notice to a seat.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public information. Independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by CPSC or NHTSA.