How can I know if my children's products are safe?
If you care for young children, you probably have many products to help you
look after them. Parents often have questions about whether these products are
tested for safety through standards or laws, and how they can learn if a product
has been recalled.
Product regulation in Canada
Under the Hazardous Products Act, a national law, certain products are
required to meet specific safety regulations in order to be legally sold in
Canada. Unsafe products can also be banned outright. Health Canada's Product
Safety Program enforces the regulations under this law. Many of these regulated
products are children's products, including cribs, strollers, baby gates, playpens
and toys.
Many children's products are not regulated but may be covered by standards
that manufacturers adopt voluntarily. Some examples are bunk beds and
high chairs. Many products are not covered by any standards or laws - for example,
baby jumpers.
Health Canada is not responsible for testing products before they are sold.
It is the responsibility of manufacturers to make sure that their products meet
Canadian regulations or the voluntary standards of their industry.
When buying new or used products for children, check the label to see if they
meet current standards and regulations. Used products may pose a safety concern
if standards or regulations have changed.
Product recalls
A recall is a public notice that a product is not safe. Consumers may be asked
to return the product for a refund, replacement or repairs. Recalls on children's
products such as car seats, playpens and toys are common.
Health Canada's Product Safety Program does not have the power to order a compulsory
recall of a children's product. In Canada, the government works cooperatively
with companies to ensure that dangerous products are taken off the market when
they become aware of a product hazard.
Here are a few steps to help you ensure that your children's products are safe.
- Check to see if your children's products have
been recalled. Call the companies or visit their web sites.
- Always fill in the product registration card and send it back to the company
right away. This will help them contact you if your product has been recalled.
- Do not remove stickers on products such as car seats, strollers, cribs or
playpens. These stickers provide important information - age or weight guidelines,
model numbers, manufacturing date and manufacturer's name.
Health Canada lists information on product advisories in Canada at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/index_e.html.
U.S. recalls are listed at http://www.recalls.gov/.
Reporting product safety concerns
If you have a concern about the safety of a product, report it to the company
that made the product, as well as your regional Health Canada Product Safety
Office. Regional Product Safety Officers look into deaths or injuries related
to children's products. They also respond to complaints and enquiries from consumers,
industry and community partners. For a list of regional Product Safety Offices,
click http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/contact/index_e.html.
For more information about product safety for children, contact Safe Kids Canada,
the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children, at
1-888 SAFE TIPS (723-3847) or Safe
Kids Canada.
Last Modified Date: July 2006
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