GIVING BACK

According to the data collected by Sedgwick brand protection from the first quarter of 2023 in the United States, when compared to the previous quarter, they found a 14.2% increase in the amount of product recalls. Sedgwick is the market-leading provider of best practice product recall and remediation solutions–and according to their most recent U.S. product recall index report that analyzes data from five key industries, they discovered that this quarter marks the highest single-quarter total in four years.

After 2022 held for a second consecutive year of record-breaking numbers of units recalled, stakeholders have been closely watching to see if 2023 would follow suit yet again and produce record-breaking recalls. However, the data collected from the first quarter of 2023 showed that the numbers actually fell by 21.6%, lagging far behind the number of units recalled by this time in 2022. While the numbers are low now, there are still three quarters left of the year that have yet to be reported. With standards of products rising among consumers, there is still a chance for 2023 to continue the trend, with it currently running with over 1 billion recalled units. 

The Sedgwick's Index Reports

As mentioned, Sedgwick offers the industry-leading recall index report, which provides an in-depth analysis of the latest product recall data. Every quarter, their report includes information from safety regulations and critical challenges for the automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries. Their index features analysis and perspective from Sedgwick's brand protection experts and network of strategic partners. 

The index is crucial in helping mitigate recall risks, litigations, and reputational damages caused by product crises and in-market events. We have collected some highlights from Q1 2023 product recall data from the quarterly index, as well as the projections, which you can find listed below.

The Q1 2023 Highlights

• Automotive recalls increased by 3.4% to 245 events. Leading causes include electrical systems with 48 events, equipment with 46, and airbags with 17.
• With 94 events, the consumer product industries recorded the most recalls in a single quarter since Q3 2015. The number of units recalled significantly increased from the previous quarter by 442.1% to 23.1 million units.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls increased by 23.2% with 117 events. However, the number of units impacted decreased by 78.7% to 39.3 million. Compared to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), whose recalls remained the same at 11 events, even as the number of pounds recalled increased by 1,129% to 2.9 million.
• Medical device recalls increased by 4.6% to 252 events. While manufacturing defects accounted for the most significant proportion with 59 events. Quality concerns were the leading cause of units impacted, with 68.5 million or 82.3% of all recalled medical devices.
• Q1 2023 marked the most pharmaceutical recalls in a single quarter, with 144 events. The number of impacted units increased by 1,071.8% to 49.5 million.

The 2023 Projections 

• Further into 2023, they predict that technological advancements and the increase of electric vehicles will push regulators to move quickly to ensure that cars equipped with the latest features are safe for the road.
• The U.S. consumer product industry will continue to see strict regulatory enforcement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The CPSC will likely continue its practice of issuing civil penalties and public efforts to pursue remedies from manufacturers. In order to align with the new and more aggressive enforcement strategies from the CPSC, manufacturers will need to update their recall communication plans.
• The FDA has outlined topics it will tackle in 2023, including allergens, dietary supplements, food additives, and other topics related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and labeling.
• The infant formula industry is also up for discussion, as the FDA has issued an update and sent a letter to stakeholders encouraging them to improve their processes and implement the programs it outlined quickly.
• The FDA is working on improving the supply chain and preventing shortages with a higher allocation for related programs for the medical device industry in its draft budget for FY2024.
• The FDA is testing two pilot programs implementing digital solutions for new product submissions and enhancing stakeholder communications. Improving cybersecurity and protecting patients from cyber threats and their consequences will also be moved up on the list for the FDA and device manufacturers.
• Now that the COVID-19 public health emergency is officially over, pharmaceutical companies must be mindful of the changes in areas like drug distribution, clinical trials, and oversight.
• The FDA will focus on Cannabis and tobacco products, continuing its research on the medical uses of cannabidiol. It will also propose tighter regulations around the manufacture of tobacco products.

Chris Harvey, the Sedgwick senior vice president of brand protection, believes that as the number of recall events continues to increase, the risks to manufacturers grow more serious. Now that there is an increase in regulatory enforcement and a more publicized recall process, regulators are working to help prioritize product safety while also balancing innovation. As predicted in the 2023 index, businesses will need to keep up with the current changes and stay prepared for any changes down the road.

If you believe that you or someone you love has been injured by a defective product, contact us today or complete our free case review. 

Over the last 20 years, millions of vehicles across the nation and all over the world have been in need of urgent repairs as a multitude of recalls have been issued. Some of the recalls have been so severe that they have been classified as "do not drive" or "park outside" alerts. The issues behind these vehicles has become so dangerous now that CARFAX, an American company providing vehicle data to individuals and businesses, has created its search tab for recalled vehicles. 

What Recalls Have Been Announced Over the Years?

According to their findings, CARFAX estimates that there are still 2.5 million cars nationwide that require repairs. However, many vehicles have yet to be taken in despite the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) and other car manufacturers doing their best to get the word out to drivers. Some believe while so many notices are coming out about the recalls, drivers may feel overwhelmed with the information provided, calling it "recall fatigue." 

Other issues include shortages of vehicle parts for dealerships to make the proper changes or when vehicles are older and have had multiple owners. It may not cross their minds to take in their older vehicles because they may not realize the recall also pertains to their car. Two of the most noted recalls, as of late, are the Takata airbags and the ARC recalls. 

The Takata recall affected over 63 million vehicles worldwide, winning the title of the largest and most complex recall in U.S. history. The safety issues with Takata airbags were first discovered in the early 2000s, but issues with the airbags did not become widely known until 2014. The recalls were made due to the airbag's defective design. The chemical compound within the inflator, when exposed to high heat and humidity over time, could explode, causing the metal parts inside the airbag to shoot out and right into the driver or passengers, causing severe injuries and even death.

As for the ARC, the NHTSA called for an immediate recall of 67 million potentially dangerous air bag inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive after an eight-year investigation found that drivers were potentially at risk of being injured or killed by metal shards and shrapnel propelled at high speeds due to the faulty inflator–risking severe injuries or death. 

What is The difference between a Do Not Drive and Park Outside Recall?

As previously mentioned, "Do Not Drive" and "Park Outside" notifications are considered very serious when issued on a recall. Typically these notices are issued jointly by both the automaker and the NHTSA. CARFAX reported that across the U.S., ten states have over 70,000 vehicles with the "do not drive" or "park outside" notices still on the roads, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. 

When a "Do Not Drive" is given on a recall, it simply means that drivers are highly advised to halt all use of their vehicles due to the safety concern behind the issues in the car. For example, if the airbags could explode, they could lead to an accident or physical harm to the driver and their passengers. 

Similarly, when a "Park Outside" notice is listed on a recall, drivers are advised to take caution with their vehicle in the case that it can pose a fire risk. In some cases, it is still safe to drive the vehicle; however, owners with a vehicle marked "Park Outside" are advised to park the car outside of garages and further away from buildings in case it catches fire. 

How You Can Learn If Your Car Has Been Recalled

Unfortunately, federal law does not prevent used cars with outstanding recalls from being resold. So the onus is on you to determine whether your recently purchased vehicle is part of an open recall. Websites like CARFAX have online tools in place to help you figure out what is going on with your vehicle and if there are active alerts for any recalls. Another great website for checking recalls is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

When you head to the NHTSA's site, they also have an online tool that allows you to enter your car's 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and it will inform you of any issues or recalls associated with your vehicle. Drivers can also call their car manufacturer or dealership to ask for any information about their vehicle and if there are recalls they should be concerned about. Under federal law, when a recall happens, any repairs must be completed free of charge and in a timely manner. 

In the case that a dealership refuses to provide you with the service required for the vehicle, you can file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including as many specifics about the dealership as possible. If you believe you have been harmed or injured due to a defective airbag, complete our quick quiz to see if you qualify for a claim. It takes 5 minutes (or less!).

According to a 19-page advisory by the United States surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, up to 95% of youth ages 13–17 report using a social media platform–over a third of those claiming that they use social media "almost constantly." The point of Dr. Vivek Murthy was to call out the potential harm that social media has on the younger generations as more and more kids spend time on apps like TikTok and Instagram. 

In his reports, Dr. Vivek Murthy noted that the effects of social media on adolescent mental health were not fully understood and that social media can be beneficial to some users– however, he also wrote, "There are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents." Below we'll dive more into Dr. Vivek Murthy's work and provide you with some helpful tips to keep your kids safe when using social media.

Can We Measure the Good and the Bad of Social Media?
In short, yes and no. Overall social media has an influence on our youth's mental health. The impact comes from complex factors including, but not limited to, the following:

• Time spent on social media
• Type of content consumed or exposed to 
• Activities and interactions social media affords
• The degree of daily disruption (like sleep and physical activity)

Regarding its impact, it is important to remember that social media can affect different children and adolescents in different ways. Everyone has their own strengths and vulnerabilities based on certain things like cultural background and socio-economic factors. According to the report by Dr. Vivek Murthy, he claims that there is "broad agreement among the scientific community" surrounding how social media has the potential to both "benefit and harm children and adolescents."

What Are the Risks Of Social Media Use in Kids?
Over the last decade, as social media has risen to new heights, there has been more and more evidence to support the reasons for concern regarding the potential negative impact of social media on children and adolescents. Some of the negative impacts include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Poor mental health. According to a study, adolescents' mental health status, when they spent more than three hours per day on social media, faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health issues, including, but not limited to, depression and anxiety.
• Exposure to content. In some instances, when children or adolescents have been exposed to extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content online, it has led to acts of self-harm and suicide.
• Body dysmorphia: Certain online content can lead children to develop skewed ideas about their body image. In a survey about the impact of social media on their body image, 46% of kids aged 13–17 said that social media made them feel worse. 40% claimed they felt neither better nor worse, and only 14% said social media made them feel better. 
• Excessive and problematic social media use. Social media has the technology to maximize user engagement, keeping users on their apps for hours. The overuse of social media can harm children and adolescents, disrupt important healthy behaviors, and potentially cause behavioral dysregulation.

What Can Parents & Caregivers Do To Protect Their Kids?
According to research, nearly 70% of parents say parenting is now more difficult than it was 20 years ago, with the inclusion of technology and social media. While the burden of reducing the potential harms of social media should not entirely rest on the shoulders of parents and caregivers, there are steps they can take to help support and create a safe environment around social media use to reduce the risk of harm.

• Create a family media plan. Creating a plan can openly promote conversations about social media use. Take this time to talk about boundaries with screen time, content, and keeping your personal information private. 
• Model responsible social media behavior. You can set an excellent example of what it means to be responsible on social media. Practice what you preach by setting your own boundaries and being mindful of social media habits.
• Report cyberbullying and online abuse, and exploitation. Talk to your kids about the importance of reporting online harassment, and also provide them with a safe and judgment-free space to talk about their experience. If your child shows you they are being harassed via email, text message, online games, or social media or have been inappropriately contacted by an adult seeking intimate or sexual acts, you and your child can report cyberbullying to the online platform or to your local law enforcement. 
• Educate kids about technology and empower them to be responsible online. Having conversations with kids about who they are connecting with, their privacy settings and their experiences can empower and encourage them to seek help should they need it.

As mentioned, the responsibility should not entirely rest on the parents or caregivers. Kids can also play an active role in keeping themselves safe from harm online. While online, kids can help keep themselves safe by reaching out to a trusted friend or adult for help when they feel unsafe. They can create boundaries to help balance their online and offline activities. A great way to create a boundary can be by setting hours dedicated to people and activities not connected online.

Parents and guardians also believe that the responsibility should also fall on the technology companies who created social media platforms to step up and protect their kids from harm. Even some policymakers have stepped up to the bat to ensure their kid's safety online. In certain states like Montana where, on April 14, 2023, they became the first state to pass legislation banning the social media platform TikTok on all personal devices operating within state lines.

As Dr. Vivek Murthy said in an interview that the lack of clarity around social media was a heavy burden for users and families to bear, and more research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media. However, until more research can be done, keeping best practices to keep your kids safe online is one positive step forward for everyone involved. For more information on how you can help keep your kids safe from the potential harms of social media, or if your child has suffered mental health issues due to the use of social media, we may be able to help you.