Checking Recalls and Registering Children's Products

9 sections 8 min read

1 Why product registration cards exist
2 Which products are covered
3 How registration works and what it protects
4 Searching for recalls and reporting hazards
5 Used products and resale rules
6 A recall check is a snapshot in time
7 Putting it together: a practical routine
8 Frequently asked questions
8.1 Do I need to register a product if I bought it used?
8.2 How often should I check for recalls on products I already own?
8.3 What should I do if I find a recalled product at a garage sale or online?
9 Sources

By Lauren Holland

When a crib, stroller, or high chair enters your home, a small postage-paid card often dangles from the frame. That card is a product registration form, and it is one of the simplest tools you have to learn about a safety recall before an injury happens. Checking for recalls on children’s products is not a one-time task, and registering what you buy gives manufacturers a direct way to reach you if a problem surfaces later.

Short version: Register every new durable infant or toddler product, search SaferProducts.gov before buying used items, and repeat recall checks periodically because a clean search today does not mean a product will stay recall-free tomorrow.

Why product registration cards exist

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Congress required manufacturers of covered durable infant and toddler products to include a postage-paid registration form with each product. The goal is to improve recall effectiveness by making sure the company can contact you directly if a safety issue is discovered. The CPSC’s registration FAQ explains that firms must maintain a record of the names, addresses, email addresses, and other contact information of consumers who register, and they must permanently mark the product with the manufacturer’s name, contact information, model name and number, and the date of manufacture.

A brochure published by the CPSC together with consumer groups tells the story behind the rule. The law is named for Danny Keysar, a 16-month-old boy who died in a recalled crib. At the time, there was no product registration process for cribs, and the crib’s owner never learned about the recall. The brochure quotes Danny’s mother, Linda Ginzel, who said that if a registration card had been included, her son might still be alive. That tragedy led to a requirement that durable infant and toddler products made after June 2010 must include a registration card and an online registration option.

Which products are covered

The CPSC’s registration rule applies to a long list of durable infant and toddler products. The agency’s FAQ lists categories that include full-size and non-full-size cribs, toddler beds, high chairs, booster seats, hook-on chairs, bath seats, gates and enclosures, play yards, stationary activity centers, infant carriers, strollers, walkers, swings, bassinets and cradles, children’s folding chairs and stools, changing tables, infant bouncers, infant bathtubs, portable bed rails, infant slings, and several others. The CPSC brochure adds that registration cards are required for these products when they are manufactured after June 2010. Accessories sold separately are not covered by the registration rule, the FAQ notes.

How registration works and what it protects

The registration card is attached to the surface of the product so that you notice it when you open the package. The card already shows the manufacturer’s name and contact information, the model name and number, and the date of manufacture. You provide your name, address, telephone number, and email address. The CPSC’s FAQ states that the card must also give you the option to register through the internet or by email. If a manufacturer does not have a website, they may provide an email address that sends an automatic reply to confirm receipt of your information.

The CPSC brochure emphasizes that the information you submit cannot be used for marketing, promotional, or any other commercial purpose. The law limits its use to notifying you about safety alerts or recalls regarding that product. This privacy protection is a key part of the Danny Keysar law, the brochure explains, so you do not have to worry that registering will fill your inbox with advertisements.

If you do not receive a card, the CPSC brochure advises going to the manufacturer’s website to register. You should also update your registration if your address changes or if you pass the product along to someone else.

Searching for recalls and reporting hazards

Registration is only one part of staying informed. The CPSC runs SaferProducts.gov, a public database where anyone can search for reports of harm or potential harm involving thousands of consumer products. The site’s homepage explains that you can file a report if you find a dangerous product, and you can search the database before you buy a product to see whether any safety concerns have been raised. Each report is reviewed by CPSC investigators and product safety experts, who decide what action to take, which may include seeking a recall, penalties, or new safety rules.

You can also search for official recalls directly on the CPSC website at cpsc.gov/Recalls. The CPSC’s online FAQ for buying and selling products points to that recall page as the place to check whether a product has been recalled. If you believe a product you own or see for sale is a safety hazard, you should report it through SaferProducts.gov. Include the name of the website where you found it and any details you have. You can also contact the CPSC by phone at (800) 638-2772.

Used products and resale rules

Many families acquire children’s products secondhand through online marketplaces, thrift stores, or friends. The CPSC’s resellers guide and its online FAQ make clear that selling a recalled product is unlawful, even if the item looks to be in good shape and has not caused a problem in your home. The FAQ states that many online sales platforms also prohibit the sale of recalled items. The CPSC has a dedicated e-commerce team that monitors websites for recalled and banned products and has sales listings removed when they are found.

There is one exception: you can sell a recalled product if the remedy outlined in the public recall notice has been applied. The CPSC’s online FAQ says the sales listing should make it clear that the fix is included. If you are considering a used children’s product, search for recalls before you hand over any money. A product that was safe when it was first sold may have been recalled years later, and the current owner may not know.

A recall check is a snapshot in time

No search result can promise that a product will never be recalled. The CPSC announces new recalls regularly, and a product that is not on the list today could appear next week. So it makes sense to check again from time to time. Making a habit of searching before you bring a stored item back into use, or whenever you hear about a recall in the news, is a practical approach. The CPSC’s toll-free hotline at 800-638-2772 is available for consumers who prefer to ask about recalls by phone.

Putting it together: a practical routine

A calm, repeatable routine can help you stay on top of recalls without feeling overwhelmed. When you buy a new durable infant or toddler product, fill out the registration card or complete the online form right away. If you receive a used item, look up the model number on SaferProducts.gov and the CPSC recall page before your child uses it. Bookmark those sites and revisit them from time to time, especially if the product has been in storage. If you ever spot a safety concern, report it through SaferProducts.gov or call the CPSC. And if a product is recalled, follow the remedy instructions; do not sell or donate it unless the fix has been made and you clearly disclose that fact.

For more step-by-step guidance on choosing and maintaining safety equipment, see our Product Selection and Inspection and Maintenance pages. Our Safety Checklists hub offers reminders for new homes, travel, and grandparent visits. The broader Safety Equipment Guides section covers installation and use, while the Child Safety Products article explains how to choose, install, and maintain gear across categories.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register a product if I bought it used?

The CPSC brochure says to go to the manufacturer’s website if you do not receive a card, if your address changes or if you pass the product along to someone else. For a used item, also search the CPSC recall page and SaferProducts.gov before your child uses it.

How often should I check for recalls on products I already own?

There is no fixed schedule. A good habit is to search whenever you take a stored product out again, before you lend or sell an item, and any time you learn of a recall in a similar product category. Because new recalls are announced frequently, a check that was clear last month may not reflect the latest announcements.

What should I do if I find a recalled product at a garage sale or online?

The CPSC’s online FAQ states that selling recalled products is unlawful. If you see a recalled item for sale, you can report it through SaferProducts.gov, including a screenshot and the link to the listing if possible. You can also call the CPSC at (800) 638-2772. Do not buy the item, and let the seller know about the recall if you feel comfortable doing so.

For more details on recalls, safety standards, and how they apply to children’s products, visit our Recalls and Standards page.

Sources

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.