When your electronic device doesn’t perform the way it should, it may be recalled by the manufacturer. Electronic recalls aren’t as widespread as, say, food items or baby toys, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there.
Protect yourself by conducting routine searches for the products you use the most. Check out these trusted recall sources to find out if your electronic items are impacted.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) site is the best, most direct source for information on recalls. The CPSC is a federal regulatory agency that researches potential dangers, and informs consumers of the results.
To search for recalls, just enter your device on the upper right hand side of the page. For instance, if you enter the search term “iPhone,” you’ll get a list of iPhone related recalls, from iPhone cases to battery cases to wall chargers.
Prefer to receive alerts? Join CPSC’s email subscription list and choose categories for your notifications. Alerts are sent at the end of each business day, keeping you up to date on current recalls. You can also follow the CPSC @OnSafetyon Twitter for recall news. Updates to Twitter are typically posted at the same time as online updates.
SaferProducts.gov alsohouses the CPSC database. This site has a great advanced search feature, allowing you to filter your search by date, product type, company, brand, model, and more. On the Safer Products website, you’ll get a much more specific picture of victim’s individual experiences with the product, along with the reminder that there’s no guarantee of accuracy for sources outside the CPSC.
Thinking of buying an electronic? It’s always a good idea to check recalled items before buying. Consumer Reports is a pretty good source for customer experiences, including recalls. For a comprehensive list of recalled items through the year, go to Consumer Reports. In the search bar, type “Recalls,” and select the Electronics category.
This magazine is the electrical and electronics engineers’ guide to design, testing, and compliance. And that makes it a great source for newsworthy recalls. Recalled devices are typically listed on the home page.
Sometimes it’s best to just go straight to the source, the place where you go to buy most electronics. Best Buy has a pretty good list of recalls. The site doesn’t have a fantastic search function, but they do offer a Recall Hotline at 1-800-566-7498.
Prefer to use an app? Whystle issues important recalls and safety alerts right to your phone. This app is geared toward parents, but works for everyone, and includes an electronics category. Just fill out a profile and make selections to specify which alerts you’d like to receive. You’ll receive a notification whenever a product in your preferred categories is recalled.
