Is CPSC’s SaferProducts.Gov Database Preventing Boston Injuries?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Consumer Safety Information Database has been in use for one year now. SaferProducts.gov allows people and entities to provide quick notification of injuries caused by consumer products. The database also lets other people check whether any complaints were filed over a particular item.

Approximately 6,000 reports were filed during SaferProducts.gov’s first 10 months. Most of the reports were submitted by consumers and had to do with well-identified, newer products (many people included the items’ serial numbers and model names with their submissions). Medical professionals, coroners, and public safety professionals also turned in reports. While there had been some concerns that third-party advocates would be submitting entries about older items, this does not appear to be the case.

Our Boston products liability lawyers welcome any new means of preventing defective or dangerous products from causing serious injuries to others. Too often we see the harm product defects can cause. Fortunately, there are legal remedies that can allow you to obtain Massachusetts personal injury compensation.

Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and Kids in Danger have conducted an analysis of the reports that were published on SaferProducts.gov since the database’s launch through January 2012. It is interesting that there were 629 injuries reported for the 41-50 age group. This is the most number of injuries cited for a particular age category in the data base .

Product categories that there were complaints about on SaferProducts.gov included:
• Kitchen Items • Furniture and related decorative items • Home maintenance • Baby products • Toys and kids • Clothing and accessories • Garden products
• Personal care • Electronics • Hobby items • Sports and recreation • Drywall • Fuel, lighters, and fireworks • Containers and packaging • Public facility products

Subcategories were broken into:
• Appliances • Footwear • Nursery products • Indoor lighting • Toys • Cookware/tableware • Heating, air conditioning, and ventilation • Fabric, laundry, and sewing • Furniture • Bed and bath • Computers, projectors, and monitors • Electrical systems • Gardening and landscaping
Only 56 of the 4,860 products named in the reports submitted were manufactured prior to 2000.

Contact our Boston injury lawyers at Altman & Altman, LLP so that we can help you explore your legal options.

Product-injury database: 6,000 reports in 10 months, Philly.com, March 29, 2012

One year anniversary of CPSC Safety Information Database’s First Postings, Consumerfed.org, March 29, 2012 (PDF)

SaferProducts.gov

More Blog Posts:
“Metal-on-Metal” Hip Replacement Devices May Increase Cancer Risk, Says Study, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 13, 2012
Consumer Groups Urge Recall of Bumbo Baby Seat, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 8, 2012
14,200 Britax Child Safety Seats Recalled Over Defective Harness Straps, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 27, 2012
SaferProducts.gov

Contact Information