One of my favorite SNL sketches from back in the day was Dan Aykroyd as Irwin Mainway on the show “Consumer Probe.” Mr. Mainway made toys for kids such as Johnny Switchblade, Bag O’ Glass (part of the very successful Bag O’ line), and Teddy Chainsaw Bear. Classic! The comedy lies in the fact that the danger in these kids products is patently obvious to everyone.
But plenty of products for children are recalled for hidden problems and latent defects each year. Everything from strollers to cribs to toys with magnets in them. Time Magazine just did a story on these issues.
What does this mean to you:
Though it is a pain, always fill out and return the warranty cards that come with products – especially children’s products – so you know when a recall happens. A recall can be critical evidence in proving a claim. Without a recall notice, you are relying on the goodness of Mr. Mainway’s heart to give you notice.