A familiar product is being recalled.
How concerned should you be?
What do you have to do?
Its important that consumers are aware of recalls to protect themselves physically and fiscally.
First, dont panic.
Sometimes responding to a recall is as easy as throwing an item away.
Its important to understand a recall so you dont end up paying for repairs unnecessarily.
Can You Be Compensated After a Product Recall?
There is no compensation for your time bringing your car to be repaired, for example.
Companies are required to set up toll-free hotlines when they have recalled products.
You should be able to return a product and get a refund for it, even without the receipt.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Ideally you will not have a loss when something you own has been recalled.
Ensuring your health and safety is priceless, right?
What Exactly Is a Recall?
Recalls happen when a manufacturer, consumer watch group or the government identifies an issue with an item.
They are targeted and specific.
Recalls are meant to protect consumers.
You have to be fairly proactive to find out about recalls.
For example, theHard Rockhad to recall childrens hoodies because the drawstring posed a risk.
Parents can call or email the company about returning the product or simply remove the drawstring.
A brass piece in a toy contained too much lead.
The suggested remedy is for parents to remove it and get the free replacement piece.
In both of these cases, the companies set up toll-free numbers for parents to get information.
What to Do for a Food Recall
Food recalls are most often precautionary.
Most food recalls are because of unlisted ingredients or foreign objects in the package.
Some recalls do involve bacteria or germs, such as E. coli or listeria.
Check the product numbers and use-by dates to see if your item is being recalled.
If you dont have the receipt, throw away the affected product.
If the recalled food came into contact with other food, throw that food away, too.
If theres any question, call your doctor.
The risk to patients health is a big determination in the recall.
you’re able to safely dispose of an over-the-counter drug if it is recalled.
(Here are the FDAs guidelines fordisposing of medications.)
If it is a prescription, contact your doctor or pharmacist to learn about alternative options.
Sometimes drugs are recalled for poor labeling and packaging, not because they are physically harmful.
It is also a good idea to notify your health insurance company.
Document any adverse symptoms you might have related to the drug or equipment.
This FDA site gathers information about the safety of medical products.
Recalls address safety and emissions problems.
A bulletin might be free if the car is under warranty or not that far out of it.
In either case, if the dealership declines to help for free, hit up the manufacturer.
If you decide to repair it on your own, save all of your receipts and communication.
This is acomprehensive articleabout vehicle recalls from the NHTSA.
It lists cars that have not been repaired.
Always remember that it is illegal to sell unrepaired recalled items.
The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…