Consumers expect the products they purchase to work as advertised. At a minimum, they expect the products to function safely. Unfortunately, some design flaws don’t become apparent until after items have become popular. As much as companies might want to protect their customers and make them happy, it’s impossible to predict every possible defect.
The biggest recalls of 2016 include a wide range of items, including hoverboards and furniture. If you own any of the following four products, make sure you follow recall directions so you and your family can stay safe.
Hoverboards
Image via Flickr by automobileitalia
So-called hoverboards became a popular gift for children during the 2015 holiday season. Unfortunately, many of those hoverboards weren’t built with safety in mind. Brands like Swagway, Razor, and Hype Roam draw power from lithium-ion battery packs that can overheat. When the battery packs overheat, they create noxious smoke and can catch on fire. Some hoverboards have even exploded.
The recall applies to more than 501,000 hoverboards in the United States. Some companies offer refunds in exchange for recalled hoverboards. Others have improved their designs and received safety certifications from Underwriters Laboratories, so some hoverboard owners can exchange old models for updated ones.
Samsung Galaxy Note7
Faulty lithium-ion batteries also lie at the heart of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone recall. The smartphone drew a lot of attention after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned it from use on airplanes, even when in airplane mode. Concern about potential fires encouraged Samsung to recall all Note7 devices. As of September 2016, about half of all Note7 owners had exchanged their phones for other models.
Those who bought Galaxy Note7 smartphones from T-Mobile have an easy way to replace their devices. Customers can take advantage of an exchange program simply by visiting a T-Mobile retail store. They can get a refund, a new Note7 with an upgraded battery, or a different phone, any of which will work on T-Mobile’s fast and reliable 4G LTE network.
Keep in mind that guidelines from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission prevent T-Mobile and other service providers from transferring data from old smartphones to new devices. If you have information that you want to save, back it up elsewhere. Otherwise, you should power down your Note7 and return it as soon as possible.
Takata Airbags
Takata Corporation makes automotive parts for companies all over the world, so it’s not surprising that the Takata airbag recall has affected at least 28 million vehicle airbags in the U.S. as of April 13, 2016, with many more being added to be replaced by 2019. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started the recall after discovering that some Takata airbag inflators deployed with explosive force. In some cases, the inflator housing can spray pieces of metal throughout vehicles.
By the end of summer 2016, the defect had caused 10 deaths and at least 100 injuries.
The Takata airbag recall primarily affects cars made between 2002 and 2015. You can have the problem corrected by taking your vehicle to a dealership by 2019. The sooner you have the part replaced, though, the safer you are on the road.
IKEA MALM Chests and Dressers
IKEA has recalled about 29 million of its MALM chests and dressers because they pose significant tip-over hazards. When not anchored properly to a wall, the furniture can tip over easily, which presents a threat to small children who may get injured or trapped. The recall specifically applies to children’s chests and dressers that are over 23.5 inches tall and adult chests and dressers that measure higher than 29.5 inches.
The faulty designs attracted national attention in 2014 when two young children died after dressers fell on them. IKEA and the CPSC conducted research and discovered that other incidents had gone unreported. IKEA issued a recall to remove the threat from family homes.
Owners willing to anchor their furniture to their walls may choose to do so. Anchoring should eliminate tip-over hazards. Those who would rather return their furniture can do so by checking IKEA-USA’s product recall website page.
No one can guarantee that a product won’t develop issues over time. Recalls provide the most effective way to bring innovative items to consumers while protecting them from defects. As long as you follow the recall’s directions, you should get a refund or replacement to keep you safe from faulty products.
