Recall Management for Consumers

By Mike Rozembajgier

The Christmas holidays are one of the busiest times of the year, and among the most challenging recall environments, as manufacturers and retailers attempt to cut through the holiday clutter to get their critical recall messages to the audiences that need to hear them.

Each year, we see dozens of recalls of holiday staples, from Christmas lights to toys, and this year is no exception. New recalls are announced daily, and consumers need to pay attention to recall news, especially during the holidays. For toy recall news, be sure to visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall webpage during the final shopping days and after your family opens their presents. Consumers who plan to travel this year can still get the latest recall news on their phones by signing up for the recall mobile phone application. But concerned shoppers and parents, as well as manufacturers and retailers, should be aware of a few helpful hints from the regulatory agencies.

Integrate CPSC shopping and decorating tips into the holiday routine. Consumers should check recall lists before shopping and before giving presents in order to make sure that their gifts have not been recalled. Consumers can also take precautionary measures when decorating for the holidays. Keep lighted candles in sight, check trees for freshness, and make sure that lights don’t have broken sockets or frayed wires. After the gifts are unwrapped and the holidays are over, consumers should be careful to fill out the warranty registration cards, especially for children’s products. If a product is recalled, having an accurate database of buyers makes it much easier to manage the critical notification process and protect consumers.

Manufacturers have the responsibility to complete the registration of products and compile all necessary consumer contact information as quickly as possible in order to have a complete database from which they can contact consumers with recall announcements.

Follow basic recall guidelines and avoid dangerous products. Parents of young children should avoid buying products that contain small pieces that can become separated from the toy. These small pieces can be swallowed or cause choking in young children. Parents should also refrain from giving toys containing small magnets to children younger than six.

As a manufacturer, you should follow the same guidelines for marketing age-appropriate toys to consumers in order to avoid having to manage a recall during the holiday season. Consumers will be checking the packaging for toy warning labels as well as guidance for potential hazards and the recommended age of the child receiving the gift. If your marketing and packaging are appropriate, you can save yourself from a lot of recall headaches down the road.

Know what to do with recalled products – especially recalled toys. First and foremost, if you think a toy might have been recalled, take it away from the child immediately before it can cause injury. Next, parents should consult recall websites to determine whether the product was in fact included in the recall announcement. Then, parents should be able to turn to your company to have all recall questions quickly and easily answered – specifically which products are affected by the recall and instructions on what to do with the recalled product.

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