Author(s): Kids in Danger (KID)
- Jordan Durrett
Published: February 18th, 2014
Report Intro/Brief:
“Since 2002, Kids In Danger (KID) has released an annual report detailing children‘s product recalls throughout the previous year. This year‘s report examines children‘s product recalls in 2013. In addition, through documents from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the report examines how effective the recalls from 2012 were in removing dangerous products from homes.
Findings of the report include:
- The number of children‘s product recalls increased 18% from 2012 to 2013.
- Incidents (down 38%) and injuries (down 16%) reported both fell below 2012 levels. However, deaths increased by 22% from 2012.
- Children‘s clothing and nursery products account for over half of all the children‘s product recalls and 52% of the reported injuries in 2013.
- Furniture was involved in four out of the eleven deaths reported in 2013. The other seven deaths were related to nursery products.
- There were a total of 1,566 incidents, 196 injuries and 11 deaths reported before the recall was issued in 2013.
- Only 10% of 2012 recalled children‘s products were successfully corrected, replaced or returned. When manufacturers still have control of a recalled product, in their warehouses or with a retailer, the success rate is higher. But once a product is in consumer hands the success rate plummets.
- There were 584 incidents and 39 injuries reported after the recalls were announced in 2012.
- There were 63 recalls in 2013 where the manufacturer had a Facebook page, but only nine incidences where the manufacturer mentioned their product recall on Facebook. Similarly, there were 63 recalls in 2013 where a manufacturer had a Twitter page, but only eight incidences where the manufacturer mentioned the recall on the page.
- Regression models found that to raise recall awareness in just one consumer it takes on average 1,000 direct mailed letters to consumers from manufacturers. Also, in order for a consumer to request additional information on a recall the recall must air on television 2,500 times.”
-from the executive summary
