Safe Products
Before bringing a new product, medication, or device, into a child care facility it is best practice to first determine if it is safe. Check the links below for safety information. Searching for recalls is one good way to determine if a product is unsafe.
All products used at a child care facility should be used only according to manufacturer’s instructions. Always have either a copy of the instructions on file at the facility or know where the instructions can be found online. Be wary of using any used or donated items where the origin of the item is unknown. For example, a used crib may not have all of the required parts, a used car seat may have unknown damage from having been in a crash.
Federal Agencies
Each of the federal agencies listed below has jurisdiction over different types of products.
| The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets standards for consumer products used at home, in sports and recreation, and in schools. Check the list of recalls for items such as toys, helmets, highchairs, clothing, and many other products found in a child care facility. |  |
| The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protects human health and the environment by ensuring access to clean air, land, and water. Only EPA registered pesticides are allowed to be used in child care centers (15A NCAC 18 .2831 (d)). The EPA keeps a registry of pesticides that can be searched based on the type of product. |  |
| The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service protects the public’s health by ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. |  |
| The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets standards involving drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics. Items not approved for use by the FDA should only be used with extreme caution and with guidance from a health care professional.
If you are unsure if a product falls under FDA jurisdiction, check here for more information: Medical Devices / Drugs |
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| The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes. NHTSA compiles list of transportation related recalls including child safety seats. |  |