Recalls help protect the public from products that may cause illness or injuries. A government agency or manufacturer will alert the public to take specific actions — some recalls ban the sale of an item and instruct you to throw away the product, while others ask for you to return the item for replacement or repair. Before you buy an item, it’s always a smart idea to find out if the manufacturer has recalled it.

Visit these websites to find the latest on safety recalls:

Recalls.gov lists recalls from six different federal agencies. You can also sign up for free email notifications about recalls on the website.

CPSC.gov is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, and it lists consumer product recalls.

NHTSA.gov publishes safety information and recalls on vehicles and equipment, such as children’s car seats.

FDA.gov lists recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts for some foods, medicines, pet food and more.

Foodsafety.gov publishes real-time notices of recalls and public health alerts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.