Parents may have noticed an uptick in recalls of baby and children’s products in recent times. This surge in product recalls often leaves many puzzled, with some wondering about the safety standards of infant products. However, this escalation is not unanticipated; data analysis by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed the number of recalls skyrocketing in 2025 when compared to the previous decade.
Last year, CPSC recalled 145 baby and children's products, more than double the number in 2015. These recalls account for about 34% of total recalls in 2025 compared to just 23% in 2015. Although there's been an increase in overall product recalls, children's goods still hold a larger proportion.
Sleep items and toys are at the top of the recall percentages. They include products like cribs, bassinets, pajamas, and inclined sleepers, among others. Baby products and toys make up half of the recalls. Following are bikes, ride-on toys and helmets; clothes; and baby gears like strollers, carriers, bath seats, making up 15%, 10%, and 10% of recalls, respectively. Other products, such as children's furniture, decor, and feeding products, make up the remaining 15%.
Concerns naturally arise about the safety of baby and children's products with increasing recalls. The question is, are baby and children's products getting less safe? The answer likely lies not just in the safety of the products, but also in recent governmental regulations.
An Upswing in Recall Rates Due to Stricter Laws and Enforcement
The upswing in recall numbers can partly be attributed to more robust regulations and their enforcement. Safety standards have tightened over the years. Until recently, rules regarding infant sleep products were mainly about cradles and bassinets, leaving out many other products marketed for better baby sleep.
According to Benjamin Hoffman, M.D., anybody can bring any product to the market as long as it does not breach the existing standards. He emphasizes that the burden of proof is to demonstrate harm, not to prove an absence of harm before launching a product. The strict standards for infant sleep items were only implemented after the death of several infants in inclined sleepers from 2009 to 2019.
In 2021, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act was enacted, leading to the banning of inclined sleepers and crib bumpers. This legislation led to a series of recalls. Consequently, the CPSC recalled an unprecedented 38 different children's sleep items in 2025. This number is significantly higher than any figures from the past. Other legal mandates like Reese's Law, which levied new safety requirements for button cell batteries, also came into effect during this period.
Online Marketplaces Proliferate Putting Children's Safety at Risk
The past decade has seen drastic transformations in the retail industry. Online shopping has become a common preference. More parents are shopping online to prepare for their babies. However, this convenience is sometimes laced with potential hazards due to the sale of unsafe products by third-party sellers from different regions with varied safety regulations.
Popular online platforms like Amazon and Walmart allow these third-party sellers to market their products through their sites. In this process, certain dangerous products may slip through the cracks. More consumer products, especially from China, are now in the U.S. market. This increases the risk of unsafe articles reaching consumers.
Although Amazon and Walmart have imposed stringent requirements to comply with all applicable laws and brand policies, some questionable products do escape these checks. Some dangerous products even appear while browsing online, like dupes of popular items sold at much lower prices than reputable brands. Although they may seem pressure-free, they may contain unsafe levels of lead or pose a choking hazard.
What to Expect’s analysis confirmed the presence of non-legitimate brands with products posing a fall and drowning hazard. Such products can remain online for hours and sometimes even days before being flagged and removed.
How Parents Can Dodge Unsafe Products
Parents can adopt a few strategies to avoid potentially unsafe products. For safety-critical items like car seats and safe sleeping spaces, buying new items compliant with the latest safety guidelines is recommended. Second-hand products run the risk of being substandard and potentially dangerous.
For items like books and clothes, older or second-hand products are acceptable. If a new car seat or crib is beyond budget, national organizations like Safe Kids Worldwide can help parents access donated or discounted items.
It's also important to verify labels. for instance, car seats should comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Parents can check CPSC website to confirm that there haven't been any recalls for a listed product. Baby Safety Alliance verified seal on products indicates that the product has been tested under stringent U.S. safety standards.
Consumers should be skeptical about potential online purchases as well. Buyers are advised to buy directly from the brand if in doubt. And remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it might raise a red flag. Registering products with the manufacturer enables contact in the event of a recall. Reporting any dangerous products or incidents can aid the crusade for child safety. Understanding these points can help parents navigate the challenging course of ensuring product safety for their children.