Number of Dangerous Kids’ Products Recalled Hit Record High in 2016

As consumers, we generally assume that the various products we use in everyday life are reasonably safe. Unfortunately, as a recent report shows, that is not always the case.

The annual Kids In Danger (KID) report found that 2016 was a record-breaking year in terms of recalled children’s products.

There were 76 dangerous children’s products recalled in 2016, with 66.8 million total units of kids’ products recalled — the highest such number since 2004. Those numbers represent a 13 percent increase from the number of recalls in 2015.

Notable products recalled in 2016 include:

• 29 million top-heavy dressers from IKEA — these tipped over and caused 49 injuries and seven deaths.
• 346,000 infant bicycle helmets from Pacific Cycle — these caused 215 injuries.
• 29 million Happy Meal fitness trackers from McDonald’s — these caused burns and rashes.
• 3 million spill-proof cups from Tommee Tippee — these grew mold, posing a risk of gastrointestinal infections.

Even with so many product-related injuries and deaths reported, manufacturers were still slow to respond.

The KID report found that it took an average of 64 reports of serious design flaws and product failures to get those products off the shelves. To put that in perspective, consider that in 2015 the average was 12 reports, and in 2014 the average was five reports. Additionally, 25 percent of recalls of children’s products involved injuries before the recalls.

If you or a loved one has been harmed because of a dangerous or defective product, you can explore your legal options by speaking with an experienced product liability attorney. At Youngers Law, our attorneys handle product liability cases on behalf of injured consumers across the state of New Mexico.