Product Emergency Triage — What to Do RIGHT NOW

Something Wrong With Your Product? Start Here.

If your product is smoking, overheating, making strange sounds, or has already injured someone — you need immediate answers, not a government PDF. Our triage guides translate dense CPSC recall notices into plain-language action steps you can follow in 5 minutes.

🔥 Fire & Smoke

If your product is producing smoke, sparks, or a burning smell: Unplug it immediately. Do not attempt to open or repair it. Move it away from flammable materials. If flames are present, evacuate and call 911.

Fire and burn hazards are the #1 recall category on Hazard Registry, affecting 113 currently recalled products including space heaters, air purifiers, power banks, chargers, and kitchen appliances. Browse appliance fire recalls → | Browse electronics fire recalls →

👶 Child Safety Emergencies

Choking, entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation risk: Remove the child from the product immediately. If a child has swallowed a small part (especially a magnet or button battery), go to the emergency room — do not wait for symptoms. Button batteries can cause fatal internal burns within 2 hours.

Children’s product recalls represent 54% of all alerts in our database. Browse all children’s product recalls →

🪑 Furniture Tip-Over

If a dresser, shelf, or TV stand has tipped or is unstable: Anchor it to the wall immediately using the hardware that came with the product (or a third-party anti-tip kit). Remove heavy items from upper drawers. If a child was involved, seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor — internal injuries from crush events can be delayed.

Tip-over hazards affect 27 currently recalled products in our database. Most manufacturers provide free wall-anchor kits — contact them using the instructions in the recall notice.

⚡ Electric Shock & Electrocution

If you received a shock from a product: Do not touch the product again. Turn off the circuit breaker for that outlet. If someone is in contact with the electrical source and cannot let go, use a non-conductive object (wooden broom handle, dry towel) to separate them. Call 911 immediately.

☠️ Poisoning & Chemical Exposure

If someone has ingested a recalled food product or been exposed to a toxic substance: Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed. Keep the product packaging for the emergency responders.

Browse all food & drug recalls →

What Happens After the Emergency

1. Document everything — photos of the product, the damage, any injuries, and the serial/model number
2. Report it to the CPSC — file at SaferProducts.gov
3. Contact the manufacturer — use the recall notice for the correct phone number/email
4. Consult an attorney if injuries occurred — you may be entitled to compensation beyond a simple refund

Manufacturer not cooperating? Read our Recall Refund Escalation Guide →