According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hundreds of products are recalled every year due to defects. Many of these items are household products that we use every day. When it comes to design, materials, and safe assembly, product manufacturers must meet the standard of being reasonably safe. This standard is even more important when it comes to products that consumers use in their homes. Manufacturers should make sure that products are safely designed, properly manufactured, and contain adequate warnings. Failure to do so can result in serious injuries.
Dangerous Household Products
Some common defective products in the home that can result in product liability claims include:
- Washers and Dryers—if defectively designed or manufactured washers and dryers can cause fires in the home or can entrap children inside.
- Refrigerators—can also lead to fires or electrocution or water spills on the floor
- Furnaces and Water Heaters—defective parts can lead to fires or gas leaks
- Stoves and Ovens—gas leaks, fires, and burns can result from defective cooking equipment
- Countertop Appliances—items such as toasters, toaster ovens, blenders, and coffee pots can all lead to fire hazards and electrical shock
- Personal Use Items—products such as hair dryers, curling irons and shavers can all lead to serious injury if they’re defective
- Cleaning Products—products that contain toxic chemicals or fail to contain adequate warnings of their danger can lead to sickness and chemical burns
- Furniture—furniture that tips or is unstable or fails to include warnings about how to properly install the pieces can lead to serious injury
- Children’s and Baby Products—defective toys, feeding equipment, clothing, furniture, and other children’s items can cause injury
Check for a Recall
While you can’t keep your family safe from all defective household products, there are steps you can take ensure that the products in your home don’t have known defects. While manufacturers may issue a press release when a product is recalled, and should inform purchasers of the product about the defect, this isn’t always the case. The CPSC maintains a database of all recalled products in the United States. It can be helpful to check up on the products in your home to make sure they have not been recalled. You can also file a report with the CPSC if you believe that a product in your home is unsafe.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Attorney
If you’ve been injured by a defective product in your home, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping New Yorkers injured by defective products. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.