Labor Day sales can make a new refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washer, or dryer look like an irresistible bargain. Before that shiny appliance gets wheeled into the kitchen, however, take a few minutes to check whether the exact model appears in a current recall database. A fantastic price loses some of its sparkle when the appliance comes with a fire, burn, electrical, or other safety hazard.
Checking takes far less time than assembling most appliances. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, maintains a searchable recalls database, while the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, maintains its own recall and safety-alert database for FDA-regulated products. Knowing which database to use, finding the correct model number, and checking the details can turn a quick pre-purchase search into one of the smartest steps in a Labor Day shopping trip.
