Baby Safety Month takes place every September and encourages parents and caregivers to take a closer look at the products, environments, and habits that keep babies safe. Two of the most important issues it raises are car seat recalls and who can be held responsible when a defective baby product causes injury. At Hilliard Law, we've represented countless families whose children were hurt by unsafe products, so this September we want to walk you through what Baby Safety Month is about, how to find out if your car seat has been recalled, what to do if it has, and who may be liable if a defective product causes a child injury.
What Is Baby Safety Month?
Baby Safety Month is a national observance held every September to raise awareness about the products, habits, and environments that keep infants and young children safe. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) founded the campaign in 1983, choosing September in part because it's the ninth month of the year.
Each year, the observance typically focuses on:
- Safe sleep practices and crib safety
- Car seat safety, installation, and recalls
- Childproofing the home as babies grow more mobile
- Registering baby products so you're notified of future recalls
- Choosing certified, tested products over unregulated alternatives
How Do You Know If Your Car Seat Has Been Recalled?
Finding out if your car seat has been recalled only takes a few minutes if you know where to look.
To check your seat's recall status:
- Locate the label on your car seat, which lists the manufacturer, model number, and date of manufacture.
- Visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls and search using that information.
- Register your car seat with the manufacturer when you first purchase it, either online or by mailing in the included registration card.
- Sign up for email alerts through NHTSA if your seat isn't already registered.
What Should You Do If Your Car Seat Is Recalled?
Learning that your car seat has been recalled can be alarming, but manufacturers are required to fix the problem at no cost to you.
Once you learn of a recall, take these steps:
- Follow the manufacturer's specific instructions, which may include a free replacement part, a repair kit, or a full refund.
- Stop using the seat in the meantime if the manufacturer or NHTSA advises against continued use.
- Contact the manufacturer directly if you believe your seat is affected but haven't received notice.
- Keep records of the recall notice, the date you received it, and the steps you took to resolve it.
- Report any injury connected to the defect to NHTSA, even after a recall has already been issued.
Again, for your child’s safety, it is not recommended that you continue the use of any recalled or defective child seat or vehicle seat restraint system.
Who Is Liable When a Defective Baby Product Injures a Child?
When a defective baby product injures a child, more than one party may share legal responsibility for what happened.
Defective baby products typically fall into one of a few categories:
- Manufacturing defects, where a mistake during production makes a specific product dangerous even though the design itself was safe.
- Design defects, where every unit of a product is unsafe because of a flaw in how it was designed.
- Marketing defects, where a company failed to provide adequate instructions or warnings about a known risk.
Depending on how the defect occurred, liability may fall on the:
- Manufacturer that designed or built the product
- Component maker responsible for a specific defective part
- Distributor that supplied the product to retailers
- Retailer that sold the product to your family
In Texas, product liability claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations, though special rules may extend that timeline when the injured person is a minor. Because these cases often involve multiple companies and complex evidence, it helps to act quickly. If your child was hurt by a defective car seat, crib, stroller, or any other baby product in Texas, Hilliard Law can help you understand your legal options and pursue accountability from the parties responsible.
Make Baby Safety Month Every Month for Your Family
Every September, Baby Safety Month reminds us that even trusted, well-designed baby products can carry hidden risks. Checking for recalls and understanding your legal options are two of the most important ways to protect your child. Of course, you can make every month Baby Safety Month to prioritize your child’s safety even more.
If your baby was hurt by a defective product in Texas, Hilliard Law is ready to help. Call us at (866) 927-3420 or contact us online for a free consultation.