Ohio parents who are concerned about the safety of products they purchase for their young children might be relieved to learn that according to the advocacy group Kids In Danger, in 2015, the lowest number of toys and similar products were recalled since the group started tracking these matters in 2001. However, few of the units that are recalled are ever returned. KID also found that of all the recalled products purchased in 2014, only 1 percent made their way back to the seller. Furthermore, only about 8 percent of total units are removed from circulation after a recall.
The groupfound other problems as well with the process of getting products recalled. Before a recall could be issued, around 12 customer complaints had to take place. The executive director of KID said that the process of getting a product recalled took too long, but parents can help keep their children safer by checking the site SaferProducts.gov to see what incidents have occurred that have not yet led to a recall.
One positive development is that more companies are using social media to help push their recall messages out. KID found that nearly half of all companies that had Facebook pages used them for recall information.
Companies that manufacture or distribute products that harm children might be liable for the resulting damages. Parents whose children are injured might want to speak to an attorney. In some cases, a company might offer to settle out of court. This might provide compensation for medical bills, but there may also be conditions such as agreeing to not discuss the incident publicly. Some parents might have the additional aim of ensuring that other children are not harmed, and if this is the case, then they may want to file a civil lawsuit or take another action that brings greater publicity to the incident.