How to Report an Unsafe Product to the Right Agency

Where to report depends on what the product is

The federal agency that handles unsafe products is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), but they don't handle everything. Cars, food, drugs, and firearms each have their own agency. For toys and gear — which is what brought you here — CPSC is almost always the right place. The exception is if the item is a car seat or other vehicle equipment, which goes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) instead.

You can report directly to CPSC online, by phone, or by mail. The online route is fastest: you go to SaferProducts.gov, create an account, and file a report. You don't need to prove the product is unsafe — you're reporting what happened, and CPSC decides whether it's part of a pattern. If you call instead, the number is 1-800-638-2772. Both routes are free.

Before you report, gather what you have: the product name, brand, model number if you can find it, where you bought it, when you bought it, and what happened. You don't need all of this to file, but the more detail you give, the more useful your report is to CPSC when they're looking for patterns across many reports.

Key Takeaways

• Report toys and gear to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) through SaferProducts.gov, by calling 1-800-638-2772, or by mail to the address on their website.
• You report what happened to you — you don't have to prove the product is defective or that others were harmed.
• CPSC looks for patterns across many reports to decide whether a product needs investigation or recall.
• Keeping the product and taking photos of any damage helps CPSC investigate, though you can report without doing either.
• If the product caused injury, include that detail in your report, as CPSC prioritizes reports involving harm.

What information CPSC actually needs from you

The online form at SaferProducts.gov asks for the product details first: the name, brand, model or style number, and the date you bought it. If you don't have the model number, the product name and brand are enough to start. You'll also enter where you bought it — Target, Amazon, a local store, a thrift shop — because CPSC tracks where unsafe products are being sold.

Then you describe what happened. This is the core of your report. Write what you observed: the toy broke in a way that created a sharp edge, the gear failed during normal use, the product caught fire, a child was injured. Be specific about how it failed and what the hazard was. If no one was hurt, say that. If someone was hurt, describe the injury.

You can upload photos or videos if you have them. A photo of a broken toy with a sharp edge, or a gear strap that tore, helps CPSC see the problem. But if you don't have photos, your written description is still valuable. CPSC receives thousands of reports; they're looking for products that show up repeatedly with the same problem.

When to keep the product versus when to throw it away

If the product is still in your home and you can store it safely, keeping it is helpful. CPSC may contact you to ask questions, and having the actual item lets you answer accurately. If the product caused an injury, keeping it also means you have it if you need to show a doctor or lawyer later.

But if the product is a serious hazard — something that could injure someone if they touched it — don't keep it just for CPSC. Throw it away or disable it so no one else can use it. Your safety and your family's safety come first. You can still file a report without the product in hand; your description of what happened is the report.

If you're considering a lawsuit or have already been injured, talk to a lawyer before throwing the product away. They may want to examine it. But for the purpose of reporting to CPSC, the report itself is what matters.

How CPSC uses your report

When you file a report, CPSC enters it into a database that they and manufacturers can search. If the same product gets reported multiple times with the same problem, CPSC notices. They may open an investigation, ask the manufacturer for information, or issue a recall. Your single report might not trigger action, but it adds to the pattern.

CPSC also shares reports with the manufacturer of the product. The manufacturer can see that someone reported a problem, though they don't automatically get your contact information unless you agree to share it. If you want the manufacturer to know how to reach you — for example, if you want a refund — you can give permission in the form.

Reports are public record. Once you file, your report (minus any personal information you mark as private) can be viewed by other consumers, safety advocates, and journalists. This transparency is how recalls sometimes get media attention and move faster.

What happens after you report

CPSC doesn't always contact you after you file. If your report is part of a larger investigation, they might reach out with questions. If they don't contact you, that doesn't mean your report wasn't useful — it means they're still gathering information or the report didn't match a pattern they're investigating yet.

You can check the status of your report by logging back into SaferProducts.gov with the same account. You'll see whether CPSC has reviewed it and whether it's been linked to other reports or an investigation.

If the product is recalled, CPSC will post the recall on their website at SaferProducts.gov/Recalls. You can search by product name or brand. If your product is recalled, the recall notice will tell you what to do — usually return it to the store, contact the manufacturer for a refund, or destroy it.

Reporting to the manufacturer directly

You can also contact the manufacturer yourself. Look for their customer service number on the product packaging, the product manual, or their website. Tell them what happened and ask what they'll do about it. Some manufacturers will offer a refund or replacement without you filing a CPSC report.

Reporting to CPSC and reporting to the manufacturer are separate steps. Reporting to the manufacturer doesn't count as reporting to CPSC, and vice versa. If you want CPSC to know about the problem, you need to file with them directly. But if you want a refund quickly, starting with the manufacturer is often faster.

If the product caused an injury

If someone was hurt, include that in your CPSC report. Describe the injury: a cut, a burn, an allergic reaction, a broken bone. Include whether the person went to a doctor or hospital. CPSC prioritizes reports involving injury because they show the product is creating real harm, not just a minor defect.

If the injury was serious, you may also want to contact a lawyer. Product liability lawyers work on contingency, meaning you don't pay unless you win. Many offer free consultations. A lawyer can advise you on whether you have a case and whether you should keep the product as evidence.

Filing a CPSC report and pursuing a legal claim are separate. You can do both. The CPSC report goes into the public database and may help other consumers; a legal claim is between you and the manufacturer or retailer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give my name when I report?

No. SaferProducts.gov lets you file anonymously. You can choose to share your contact information so CPSC can reach you with questions, but it's not required. If you want a refund from the manufacturer, you'll need to give them your information, but that's a separate conversation.

What if I bought the product years ago?

You can still report it. CPSC tracks when products were purchased because older items sometimes reveal problems that took time to show up. Include the date you bought it if you remember, or your best estimate. If you don't know the exact date, write approximately when it was.

Can I report a product that hasn't hurt anyone yet but looks dangerous?

Yes. You don't have to wait for an injury. If a toy has a design flaw that could hurt someone, or gear is breaking in a way that creates a hazard, report it. CPSC investigates reports of potential hazards, not just actual injuries.

What if I bought the product secondhand or at a thrift store?

Report it anyway. Include where you bought it — thrift store, online marketplace, garage sale — and when. CPSC tracks where unsafe products are circulating. If a product is being resold after a recall, that's important information.

How long does it take CPSC to investigate?

There's no set timeline. CPSC prioritizes reports involving injury and products with multiple similar reports. An investigation might take weeks or months. You can check SaferProducts.gov to see if your report has been linked to an investigation, but CPSC doesn't always provide updates to individual reporters.