Enjoy Your Summer, Massachusetts, but Beware of Dangerous Products

Summertime and the living is … well, it’s supposed to be easy, but with numerous recalls of foods, toys, and recreational equipment, there’s never a good time to take a vacation from being a cautious consumer. Fortunately, there are some websites that help consumers keep track of the latest in safety recall information. (Of course, not every dangerous or defective product is recalled, so a particular product’s absence from a recall list is not a guarantee of safety.)

To be on the safe side, take a few minutes to peruse these government websites for the latest information before embarking on your particular variety of summer fun.

Boater Beware: Safety Recalls from the U.S. Coast Guard

With 200 miles of coastland and 3,000 lakes, the Bay State can be a wonderland for swimmers, skiers, and boaters. Before heading out on the water, however, it would be prudent to visit the U.S. Coast Guard website to check the latest list of marine product recalls. A viewer can search for a particular craft by company, model, or year. There is also a form on the Coast Guard’s website to report possible safety defects on boats and related equipment less than 10 years old.

There are currently some 1,352 recall records on the site, including such potential safety issues such as ventilation, capacity, mounting bolts, electric systems, and fuel systems. If your boat is on the list, contact the manufacturer for further information and, of course, arrange for repairs before taking to the water.

Before You Shop for the Family Picnic

The United States Food and Drug administration keeps track of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts for the nation’s food, drugs, animal health, biologics, medical devices, and cosmetic products. The current list of possibly dangerous food products includes sliced mushrooms with possible listeria monocytogenes, raw macadamia nuts that may be contaminated with salmonella, and powdered donuts that may have mold.

In addition to contamination with life-threatening illnesses, several foods with undeclared allergens such as peanuts or soy are also on the list. If you or a family member has a life-threatening allergy, it pays to keep abreast of the latest alerts.

Road Trip? Not without Checking for Vehicle Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the latest information about car, truck, and SUV recalls. Before heading out on a vacation or other family trip, a quick look at the NHTSA’s website will alert consumers to safety issues such as a roof rack that could suddenly detach, a motorhome sliding door that may not open, and airbags that may malfunction.

The airbag issue affects some five million Honda vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2011, including certain Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements, Odysseys, Pilots, Ridgeline, and Acuras. According to the recall notice, an inflator could rupture, causing metal fragments to strike the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injuries or even death.

To Talk to a Massachusetts Accident Lawyer about a Defective Product

If your family is injured because of an accident caused by a dangerous or defective product, call the Law Office of John C. Manoog, III at 888-262-6664 and ask for an appointment. We offer a free initial consultation of potential products liability lawsuits, but remember that strict filing deadlines apply and a delay in asserting your legal rights can result in no recovery, regardless of the severity of your injuries. With offices in Hyannis and Plymouth, we offer legal assistance throughout the Cape Cod area.

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