How to Get Recall Alerts for Your Baby's Gear

Register your baby products directly with manufacturers to receive recall notices by email or text

Most baby gear — car seats, strollers, cribs, monitors, high chairs — comes with a product registration card or a QR code that takes you to the manufacturer's website. When you register, the company adds your name and the product's serial number to their database. If that product is recalled later, they contact you directly instead of waiting for you to notice a recall announcement.

Registration is free and takes about five minutes per product. You'll need the product's model and serial number (usually on a sticker under the seat, on the frame, or inside the manual) and your email address or phone number. Some manufacturers also let you register through their mobile app.

The reason to register now, even if nothing is wrong with the product, is that recalls can happen years after purchase. A stroller recalled in 2025 might have been made in 2021. Without registration, you might never know.

Key Takeaways

• Manufacturer registration is the fastest way to hear about recalls — companies contact registered owners before posting public announcements.
• You need the product's serial number and model number, both found on a sticker or in the manual, plus your email or phone number.
• Registration is free and takes about five minutes per product; many manufacturers offer it through their website or mobile app.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also maintains a searchable recall database and offers email alerts for product categories, though manufacturer registration is more direct.
• Register products within the first month of purchase, while you still have the manual and can easily locate the serial number.

Where to find the registration link for your product

Start with the product manual or the box it came in. Most manufacturers print a registration URL or QR code on the back cover or on an insert card. If you no longer have the manual, go to the manufacturer's website directly — search "[brand name] product registration" — and look for a link labeled "Register Your Product" or "Product Registration."

If you bought the product secondhand and don't have the original packaging, you can still register if you have the serial number. Go to the manufacturer's website, find the registration page, and enter the serial number. The company will ask for your contact information and may ask when you purchased it; if you don't know the exact date, an approximate month and year usually works.

Some major baby gear manufacturers — including Graco, Chicco, UPPAbaby, Britax, and Safety 1st — have registration pages that are easy to find on their main websites. Smaller or specialty brands may bury the registration link deeper in their site, so use the search function or look under "Customer Service" or "Support."

What information you'll need to register

Have these details ready before you start:

• Product model number and serial number (on a sticker attached to the product or in the manual)
• Your email address or phone number (or both, if the manufacturer offers both options)
• Purchase date or approximate month and year
• Where you bought it (optional on most forms, but some manufacturers ask)

The serial number is the most important piece. It's usually a string of numbers and letters, sometimes printed as a barcode. If you can't find it on the product itself, check the manual's first or last page — manufacturers often print it there as well. If you still can't locate it, contact the manufacturer's customer service line with your proof of purchase, and they can help you find it.

How to monitor the CPSC recall database if you prefer not to register individually

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a public database of all recalls at SaferProducts.gov. You can search by product name, brand, or category, and you can set up email alerts for specific product types — for example, "infant car seats" or "baby monitors."

CPSC alerts are less targeted than manufacturer registration because they cover entire product categories rather than your specific item. However, they're useful as a backup. If you register with the manufacturer and also sign up for CPSC alerts for that product category, you'll catch recalls through both channels.

To set up CPSC alerts, visit SaferProducts.gov, search for your product category, and look for an option to subscribe to email updates. The alerts arrive when new recalls are posted, usually within days of the CPSC announcement.

Registering products you buy secondhand or as gifts

If someone gave you a stroller or car seat as a gift, you can still register it. You'll need the serial number and model number, which are on the product itself. The manufacturer doesn't require proof of purchase — they just need to know who to contact if there's a recall.

For secondhand purchases, the situation is the same. Even if you bought it used from a resale site or a consignment shop, you can register it with your contact information. The previous owner's registration doesn't prevent you from registering; most systems simply update the contact information on file.

If the product is very old and the manufacturer is no longer in business, you won't be able to register it. In that case, rely on CPSC alerts for that product category. Older products are less likely to be recalled, but it's still worth monitoring.

What happens after you register

Once you submit your registration, the manufacturer stores your information in their database linked to that product's serial number. You should receive a confirmation email or text within a few days. Keep that confirmation — it's proof you registered.

If the product is recalled, the manufacturer will contact you by email or phone (whichever you provided) with details about the recall, what the hazard is, and what to do next. Most recalls ask you to stop using the product and either return it for a refund or replacement, or to perform a free repair or modification.

Manufacturers are required by law to attempt to contact all registered owners. If you move or change your phone number or email, you can update your registration on the manufacturer's website. Check your registrations once a year and update any contact information that has changed.

Registering products from different manufacturers

If you have a Graco stroller, a Britax car seat, and a Chicco high chair, you'll need to register with each manufacturer separately — there's no single registry that covers all brands. This is why it's worth doing it as soon as you bring each product home, while you have the manual and serial number in front of you.

Create a simple list or spreadsheet with the product name, brand, serial number, and the date you registered it. Store it in a note on your phone or in a document you can access later. If you need to look up whether a product was recalled, you'll have all the information in one place.

Some retailers, like Buy Buy Baby or Babies "R" Us (where it still operates), offer to register products at the point of sale. If the store offers this, take them up on it — they'll handle the registration for you. However, always verify that your contact information was entered correctly by checking your email for a confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register my baby products to be notified of recalls?

No, but registration is the fastest way to hear about recalls. The CPSC posts all recalls publicly, and you can monitor them through SaferProducts.gov or by signing up for category-specific email alerts. However, manufacturer registration means the company contacts you directly, which is more reliable than checking a website yourself.

What if I lost the serial number and can't find it anywhere?

Contact the manufacturer's customer service line with your proof of purchase (receipt or order confirmation). They can look up the serial number based on your purchase date and where you bought it. Once you have the serial number, you can register online.

Can I register a product if I don't remember when I bought it?

Yes. Most registration forms ask for the purchase date but allow you to enter an approximate month and year or to leave it blank. The manufacturer's main goal is to have your current contact information linked to the product's serial number, so they can reach you if there's a recall.

If I register a product, will I get emails about other products from that brand?

Not automatically. Registration ties your contact information to that specific product's serial number. However, some manufacturers also offer a newsletter or promotional emails; these are usually optional and you can decline them during registration or unsubscribe later.

What should I do if I get a recall notice?

Read the entire notice to understand what the hazard is and whether it affects your specific product (recalls sometimes apply only to certain serial number ranges or production dates). Follow the manufacturer's instructions — usually to stop using the product and contact them for a refund, replacement, or repair. Keep the recall notice for your records.