Reese's Notes

Staying at the table: Reese's Purpose in Brussels

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In September, Reese's Purpose Founder and Executive Director Trista Hamsmith traveled to Brussels, Belgium, for the ICPHSO International Symposium. She was a plenary speaker, joining a panel on the extended collaboration process and how partnerships can move product safety forward.

The panel focused on working together. Families and advocates bring lived experience and a clear understanding of how hazards affect children. Industry can develop and adopt safer designs. Regulators and policymakers can set expectations and put protections into practice. Standards experts can turn safety goals into technical requirements. Each perspective matters. When people share what they know, listen to one another, and put their heads together, they build ideas stronger than any one person or organization could create alone.

Trista spoke about the collaboration behind Reese's Law and the Energizer Ultimate Child Shield battery, and about the wider possibilities that open up when people come together around child safety. The lesson is the same in both: progress depends on partnerships among people with different experiences and expertise. Those partnerships solve immediate problems, build momentum, encourage others to get involved, and inspire change across organizations and industries.

The work does not end when a law passes. Safer product design, strong standards, effective implementation, clear communication, and continued innovation all help turn progress into protections families can count on. Ongoing collaboration lets people share what is working, identify where more is needed, and keep improving together.

The international setting underscored that product safety is a shared concern. A hazard that affects a child in one country can offer lessons for families, advocates, companies, and safety leaders elsewhere. By sharing experiences and ideas across borders, people build on one another's work and advance safer products for children everywhere.

For Reese's Purpose, the symposium was a chance to bring families' experiences into an international conversation, strengthen relationships, and carry new ideas into the organization's advocacy, education, and prevention work. Trista's participation reflects what Reese's Purpose does: bring perspectives together and turn shared concern into action.

Trista also emphasized that collaboration requires more than an invitation into the room. Having a seat at the table means more than having a chair with your name on it. It means choosing to walk into the room, sit down, take part, and remain present. Real collaboration asks people to listen, contribute, and stay engaged, even when the work is complicated or the conversation is uncomfortable. A seat only has meaning when the person who holds it chooses to use it.

When people keep showing up and working through challenges together, good ideas have a better chance of becoming practical protections for children. And when we work together, great things can happen.

In honor of Safe Sleep Month: safe sleep is simple, but the marketplace is not

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Written with Michelle Barry, President, Safe Infant Sleep (safeinfantsleep.org)

Every parent knows the exhaustion that comes with caring for a new baby. When everyone is desperate for sleep, a product promising longer rest, better comfort, or relief from fussiness can feel like an answer.

But "cozy" does not always mean safe. A product sold in the baby aisle, promoted online, or described as a sleeper, nest, or lounger is not automatically safe for infant sleep.

October is Infant Safe Sleep Month. Reese's Purpose is helping families understand what a safe sleep environment looks like and how to recognize products that may place babies at risk.

Why safe sleep matters

Approximately 3,400 babies under age one die suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States each year. These deaths, known as sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID), include SIDS, accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and deaths from unknown causes.

Recent CDC research found unsafe sleep factors present in at least three-fourths of the SUID cases reviewed from 2020 through 2024. This does not mean every sleep-related death is preventable or that grieving families are to blame. It means reducing known risks matters.

Keep sleep firm, flat, and bare

For every nap and every night, place babies on their backs on a firm, flat, and level mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, bedside sleeper, or play yard. Use only a tightly fitted sheet and keep pillows, blankets, bumpers, positioners, stuffed animals, and other soft objects out of the sleep space.

Keep the baby's sleep space in the parents' room, but not in the parents' bed, ideally for at least the first six months.

A properly sized, non-weighted sleep sack can provide warmth without loose bedding. Look for one that passes the new ASTM F3735 safety standard. Weighted sleep sacks, weighted swaddles, and weighted blankets should not be used.

If families choose to swaddle, babies should always be placed on their backs, and swaddling should stop as soon as they show signs of trying to roll.

Not every baby product is safe for sleep

Babies may fall asleep in car seats, swings, rockers, bouncers, and strollers, but these products are not safe sleep spaces. If a baby falls asleep in one, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as it is safe to do so.

Loungers, nursing pillows, and positioners should never be used as sleep surfaces. Babies also should not sleep on couches, recliners, adult mattresses, or other soft surfaces.

No product can prevent SIDS. Home heart, breathing, or movement monitors have not been shown to prevent SIDS or replace safe-sleep practices.

Older and recalled products are still out there

Federal law now bans inclined infant sleepers with sleep angles greater than 10 degrees and crib bumpers, and products marketed or intended for infant sleep must meet federal safety requirements.

But banned and recalled products can still be found in homes, handed down between families, and sold secondhand.

Before using a secondhand product, check for recalls. Register new durable infant products with the manufacturer, follow age, weight, and developmental limits, and check the CPSC recall list regularly. Never sell, donate, or give away a recalled or banned infant sleep product.

Safe sleep applies everywhere

Safe sleep practices should be followed by everyone caring for a baby, including grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and friends.

Place babies on their backs at the beginning of every sleep. Once a baby can roll both ways on their own, caregivers do not need to keep turning them back over, but the sleep space should remain bare.

When traveling, plan ahead for an approved crib, bassinet, or play yard rather than relying on an adult bed, couch, or unfamiliar sleep product.

A clearer message for every family

Safe sleep should not require families to sort through confusing advertising, conflicting advice, or products that look safe but are not designed for sleep.

The message is simple:

Back to sleep. Firm, flat, and level. A bare crib, bassinet, bedside sleeper, or play yard. Every nap. Every night. Every caregiver.

Families deserve clear safety information before harm happens, and every product made or marketed for children should protect them as intended.

For more safe-sleep information, visit the CDC , the NIH Safe to Sleep campaign , and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission .

Need to register your products? Use this product registration directory : click the link for your product and fill out the form.

The silent danger: why cordless window coverings save lives

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT

By Linda Kaiser, Founder, Parents for Window Blind Safety (pfwbs.org)

October is Window Covering Safety Month. This guest story comes from Linda Kaiser, who founded Parents for Window Blind Safety 24 years ago.

Twenty-four years ago, I founded Parents for Window Blind Safety after losing my own child to a hazard no parent ever thinks to guard against. Since then, I've spent my life fighting manufacturers and sitting on living room floors with families destroyed by the exact same preventable tragedy.

If two decades on the front lines have taught me anything, it's this: half-measures don't save kids.

When people think of home danger, they picture open outlets, sharp corners, or cleaning products under the sink. Nobody expects a simple window cord dangling in the sunlight to be lethal. But strangulation happens in complete silence. There is no loud crash. No scream.

A few years ago, a family was having breakfast in a hotel dining area. Their four-year-old stepped up onto a raised floor vent by the window to get a better look outside, lost his footing, and instinctively grabbed a looped blind cord on the way down. In less than a second, the loop caught around his neck. He was hanging there, eyes wide, unable to make a sound. His parents were sitting just a few feet away. They managed to lift him up and slip the cord off in time, but only because they happened to be looking directly at him at that exact moment.

Most families don't get that lucky.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard this story: A two-year-old gets put down for an afternoon nap. The parents leave the door cracked, keep the baby monitor on, and move the crib a couple of feet away from the window. They think they've done everything right. An hour later, they walk in and find their toddler entangled in a cord they thought was safely out of reach.

For decades, the window covering industry sold parents a lie. They told us plastic cleats, tie-downs, and retrofit kits would solve the problem. Parents wrapped those cords up high every single morning, completely unaware that toddlers will climb whatever they can drag over (radiators, toy boxes, beds) to reach something interesting. They didn't know tie-downs snap under pressure, or that the thin inner cords running through the blind slats themselves create hidden loops big enough to strangle a child.

Those cheap plastic fixes were never the answer.

Since December 2024, updated window covering safety standards have removed hazardous cords from products, but millions of older, hazardous blinds are still hanging in homes, daycares, and hotels across the country. Here is what you need to look for in your own house today:

Exposed pull cords. If there's a cord you can reach, pull, or untangle, it's a hazard. Period.
Continuous loops. Beaded chains and looped nylon cords can easily trap a child's head, even if tied to a wall.
Inner slat cords. Pull on the cords running through the blind slats themselves. If you can create a loop larger than six inches, it poses a severe choking risk.
Manufacture date. Any corded window treatment made before the 2024 standards should be replaced.

When you buy new window treatments, go 100% cordless. Don't let a salesperson convince you a corded blind has a "safe design." Look for clear, independent verification on the box, like the Lab Tested Mom Approved seal, to make sure there are no hidden inner-cord hazards inside.

Take five minutes today to walk through your home, your parents' house, and your child's daycare. Check every single window. A silent threat won't wait until you get around to it.

Sources

Know the Difference: Recalls vs. Warnings

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:30:00 GMT

As a parent, you've seen the headlines such as "CPSC Recalls Crib" or "CPSC Issues Product Safety Warning on Infant Lounger." Both sound alarming, and both deserve your attention. But they don't mean the same thing.

CPSC Recalls vs. CPSC Product Safety Warnings: What Parents Need to Know

Understanding the difference between these two outcomes can help you protect your family more effectively.

In the world of Reese's Purpose, you've seen the many recall headlines describing violations of Reese's Law. A typical CPSC voluntary recall notice will say something like "Light-up Glasses Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Consumer Products with Button Cell Batteries." Recall notices like these have become a regular part of the headlines since Reese's Law took effect. However, not every violation of Reese's Law ends in a recall. Some instead result in a product safety warning. Again, these are slightly different. Let's explore how.

What Is a CPSC Recall?

A recall is the more familiar of the two outcomes. 99.9% of CPSC recalls are voluntary, meaning that the agency works in cooperation with the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to remove an unsafe product from the market. The key difference is that when a recall is issued, the company has agreed to participate.

Sometimes companies learn about the issue and act quickly and in good faith with the CPSC. Sometimes companies may not initially agree to conduct a recall but eventually do so due to their fear of further enforcement activity or other concerns. And while online commerce websites have provided access to the American market for overseas manufacturers, many of which are selling non-compliant products, these same marketplaces can also quickly shut down those listings if they are made aware of a violation of Reese's Law.

A voluntary recall agreement typically comes with a consumer remedy, which means that you, as the buyer, are entitled to something: a refund, a replacement part, or a free repair. Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. A recall provides a clear remedy and path forward for families who own the product.

What Is a Product Safety Warning (Unilateral Warning)?

A product safety warning, sometimes called a "unilateral warning," is what the CPSC issues when a company won't cooperate. In product safety warning press releases, CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the products at issue and notes that the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer has not agreed to recall the products. The agency is essentially going around a company to get the word out directly to you.

This matters, because unilateral product safety warnings do not provide a consumer remedy. There is no refund process. There is no company hotline to call. You simply need to stop using the product and dispose of it on your own. There is no compensation. Of course, we hope that consumers receive and follow these instructions.

Why Are Unilateral Warnings Becoming More Common?

Unilateral warnings are a growing trend parents should be aware of. In 2020, CPSC issued just three unilateral warnings. By 2024, that number had risen to 64, most for products manufactured in China and nearly all sold online on e-commerce websites. The rise of e-commerce has made it easier than ever for overseas sellers to reach American families, but has also made it harder for regulators to hold them accountable. When foreign manufacturers and sellers refuse to act, ignoring communications and refusing to cooperate, the CPSC can either sue the company or warn the public. The difficulty and cost of suing companies overseas is often too much, even for the CPSC, so instead, they warn the public, and retailers typically follow up by removing those products from their shelves.

What Should Parents Do?

The bottom line for both recalls and safety warnings is to immediately stop using the product. The key difference is what happens next. With a recall, contact the company for your remedy. With a safety warning, there is no company remedy available: your only action is to remove the product from your home and dispose of it.

To stay informed, sign up for recall alerts at CPSC.gov, and check the site regularly if you purchase children's (or other) products from online marketplaces. When in doubt, search the product name on the CPSC's SaferProducts.gov website before your child uses it. Your family's safety is worth the extra minute.

Viral Does Not Mean Verified: What Parents Should Know During Baby Safety Month

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT

September is Baby Safety Month®, an annual campaign focused on giving parents and caregivers trusted information to help keep babies and young children safe.

This year's message is simple but important: Viral does not mean verified. Safety shouldn't be a guessing game.

Parents are surrounded by advice on social media. New products, parenting shortcuts, and baby "hacks" appear in our feeds every day, but popular does not always mean safe. Before using a product or trying advice found online, take time to make sure the information comes from a trusted source, qualified professional, or current safety guidance.

Before You Try, Verify

When selecting or using products for your baby:

Choose products appropriate for your child's age, size, and stage of development.
Read and follow all manufacturer instructions, warnings, and height and weight limits.
Use every strap and restraint correctly and securely.
Never add accessories or make changes that are not approved by the manufacturer.
Register products so the manufacturer can contact you about recalls or other safety concerns.
Check products regularly for recalls, damage, missing pieces, loose hardware, or signs of wear.
Stop using a product once your child reaches its age, height, weight, or developmental limit.
Look for the Baby Safety Alliance Verified Seal when shopping. The seal means the product has been independently tested to applicable safety standards.

Make Every Sleep a Safe Sleep

Products made for feeding, playing, or lounging should only be used while a baby is awake and supervised. Swings, bouncers, nursing pillows, and loungers are not safe sleep spaces.

If your baby falls asleep in one of these products, move them to a crib, bassinet, play yard, or bedside sleeper designed for infant sleep.

Before using a sleep product:

Check that it has not been recalled.
Make sure it is properly assembled and has no missing, loose, or broken parts.
Use a firm, properly fitting mattress with only a fitted sheet.
Never add blankets, pillows, bumpers, positioners, or toys.
Do not use a drop-side crib or another outdated sleep product.
Register the product with its manufacturer.

Choose the Right Car Seat for Every Stage

Child passenger safety begins with selecting the correct car seat and using it properly on every ride.

Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum rear-facing height or weight allowed by the car-seat manufacturer. They should then use a forward-facing seat with a harness until reaching its limits, followed by a belt-positioning booster until the vehicle's seat belt fits correctly.

Parents and caregivers should also:

Keep children younger than 13 in the back seat.
Follow both the car-seat instructions and applicable state law.
Register the car seat and check its expiration date.
Avoid using a seat with missing labels, an unknown history, or crash damage.
Keep vehicle doors and trunks locked and key fobs out of children's reach.
Never leave a child alone inside a vehicle, not even for a moment.

Babyproofing Is an Ongoing Process

A home that is safe for a newborn may look very different once that baby begins rolling, crawling, reaching, and climbing. Babyproofing should continue as children grow and develop new skills.

Look beyond the obvious hazards by:

Locking medicines, cleaners, sharp objects, matches, and lighters away.
Using hardware-mounted safety gates at the top of stairs.
Anchoring furniture, televisions, and freestanding ranges.
Keeping cords, hanging tablecloths, and small objects out of reach.
Using window guards and remembering that screens do not prevent falls.
Setting the water heater to 120°F to help prevent scalds.
Placing swings, bouncers, and play products on the floor rather than elevated surfaces.
Checking grandparents' homes and every other place where your baby regularly spends time.

Baby Safety Month is not about expecting parents to anticipate every possible danger. It is about helping families find reliable information, use products correctly, and make safer choices with confidence.

Before you buy, before you try, and before you share, verify.

Continue Learning

Explore Baby Safety Month: babysafetyfoundation.org/baby-safety-month
Download the Baby Safety 101 guide: babysafetyfoundation.org/baby-safety-101
Access family activities, games, and safety checklists: babysafetyfoundation.org/interactive-resources
Read additional baby and home safety tips: babysafetyfoundation.org/baby-safety-month-safety-tips
Search current product recalls: cpsc.gov/Recalls

Back To School Season

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

August Safety Spotlight: Back-to-School Safety Month

As a new school year begins, August is the perfect time to refresh your family's safety routines. Whether your child rides the bus, walks to school, bikes with friends, or is driven each day, a few simple reminders can help children start the year safely.

School Bus Safety

School buses are one of the safest ways for children to travel to and from school. However, many school bus-related injuries happen while children are entering or exiting the bus. Reviewing these simple habits can help keep kids safe:

Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early.
Stand at least 10 feet away from the curb while waiting for the bus.
Wait until the bus has completely stopped and the door opens before approaching.
Use handrails when getting on and off the bus.
Stay seated and follow the bus driver's instructions while riding.
If crossing the street, walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus and make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
Never walk behind the bus where the driver may not be able to see you.
If something is dropped near the bus, tell the driver before attempting to pick it up.

Walking & Biking Safety

For children who walk or bike to school, a few reminders can make every trip safer:

Use sidewalks and designated crossing areas whenever possible.
Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones or headphones while near traffic.
Wear a properly fitted helmet every time you ride a bike or scooter.
Practice the route to school with your child before the first day.

Drivers: Help Keep School Zones Safe

Everyone plays a role in protecting children as they return to school.

Slow down in school zones and neighborhoods.
Stay alert for children walking, biking, and entering or exiting vehicles.
Avoid distractions while driving.
Follow all school bus laws, including stopping when a bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

A safe school year starts before the first bell rings. Taking a few minutes to review these safety habits with your children can help ensure they have a healthy, happy, and successful year.

More info here

Meet Emory: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Hope

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT

At Reese's Purpose, every mission begins with a child. Before there is advocacy, awareness, or change, there is a little life that forever changed the people who loved them. This month, we're honored to share the story of Emory Georgia-Faye "Emy" Sayre, told in her mother's own words. We hope you'll take a few moments to meet Emy through the eyes of the person who knew and loved her best.

Emory Georgia-Faye Sayre, also known to most as Emy, was born on April 8, 2016. For us, that was the best day of our lives. I was already a mom to three boys, and I had spent years praying every single night that God would bless me with a daughter. On April 8, my wish finally came true.

Being born into a house full of boys made Emy as rough and tough as they come. She was a fierce competitor who found joy in anything that involved sports. She spent hours outside playing what was supposed to be flag football but often turned into tackle football with her brothers, countless games of wiffle ball, basketball games that she somehow made even more exciting by riding a hoverboard while playing, wrestling matches on the trampoline, indoor boxing matches on rainy days, and races with every single person she met.

My wild, free-spirited girl didn't walk anywhere: everywhere she went was a run. If she fell or ran into something, while everyone else held their breath, she would pop right back up like nothing had happened, too focused on her next adventure to notice it might have hurt.

As tomboyish and playful as she was, she also had the sweetest princess side. When she told stories, she did it with so much expression and attitude that only a little girl could. Her hands and face were constantly performing, and sometimes I laughed so hard at the way she was telling the story that I missed what it was actually about.

She loved anything that glittered. If we went shopping, no glitter shoes, shirts, pants, or accessories were safe from Emy. She wanted them all. Her favorite color was, of course, pink, and that girl loved a good tutu.

She was the perfect balance in every way: girly and tomboyish, sweet and sassy, tough and soft. She was the exact daughter I had always dreamed of. She was, and still is, so deeply loved by our family and by everyone who knew her. After all, she was impossible not to love.

April 25, 2022, was the single worst day of our lives, a day that changed our family forever.

It was a Monday, and like so many Mondays, we were running late. Emy hadn't slept well the night before. She had tossed and turned all night, so I had overslept my alarm. I hurried everyone out the door and sent the kids to the top of the driveway to wait for the school bus, just as I had done every school day before.

Work was especially busy that day. After everyone else had left, I stayed a few extra minutes to put together my new office chair. The kids had already ridden the bus home, and I knew there was an adult there waiting for them, so I had no reason to think anything could be wrong.

A few minutes after 4:00 p.m., I saw my son's call come through on my Apple Watch. As I looked for my phone, another call came in, followed by a text message:

"Mom, please answer."

Then another message from a neighbor:

"Call 911."

My heart dropped.

I answered a call from Brandon, my son's dad, who was at my house.

"Tori, get home," he said frantically. "Emy was hit by the bus."

When you hear something like that, your mind tries to protect you. I remember thinking maybe she had a broken leg. I asked him, "How bad is it?"

The tears in his voice told me everything.

"Brandon... is she alive?"

"I don't know," was all he could say.

I called 911, desperate for an update, but they couldn't give me any information and told me to head home. I stood up from my desk, took a few steps, and collapsed onto the floor screaming. Two of my coworkers, dear friends, helped me to my feet.

"Come on, Tori," they said. "You have to go to her."

As we drove into my neighborhood, I saw the ambulance pulling away.

There were no lights.

No rush.

In that moment, I knew.

When I arrived, the street was filled with police cars, fire trucks, neighbors, and the school bus sitting in the middle of the road. I got out of the car screaming, "Is she alive?" before falling to my knees.

The police helped me up and told me to go to the hospital.

The entire drive, I couldn't stop asking myself the same question:

How could this have happened?

How does a school bus run over a child who had just gotten off the bus?

At the hospital, I sat beside my mom while a doctor and nurse came into the room.

"We're sorry. We tried everything, but she didn't make it."

I thought I was going to die there too.

In a way, I did.

Our family was allowed to spend time with Emy before saying our final goodbye. Watching your six-year-old child be taken away in a body bag is a pain that never leaves you. Even now, I can still feel it deep in the pit of my stomach.

In the days that followed, investigators met with our family. Using the cameras on the bus and witness accounts, including those of her brothers, who had to witness the accident, we learned what happened.

Emy was the first to step off the bus, followed by two of her brothers. The children crossed in front of the bus toward our driveway. Before reaching it, Emy turned around to pick a flower for me while her brothers continued home. As they reached the driveway, Emy began crossing directly in front of the bus. The driver, whose attention was focused on the boys in the driveway, put the bus in drive, looked forward, and pulled away, never seeing Emy, who was only a few steps from safety.

A bus is an enormous vehicle.

A six-year-old little girl is incredibly small.

It was the perfect storm for an unimaginable tragedy.

Our lives changed forever that day. While nothing can erase the pain of losing Emy, sharing her story keeps her memory alive and reminds us how precious every moment with our children truly is. She continues to inspire us every day through her joy, her strength, and the love she brought to everyone who knew her.

For now, we know Emy is waiting for us, just happy to know that she beat everyone there.

At Reese's Purpose, we believe every child's story has the power to create change simply by being told. Today, we are honored to share Emy's life, not because of how it ended, but because of how beautifully she lived. We are deeply grateful to Tori and her family for trusting us with her story. In the months ahead, we'll share more about how Emy's legacy continues to inspire efforts to make the journey to and from school safer for children everywhere.

More Than A Golf Tournament

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

For Reese, With Gratitude

Reflecting on the 5th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament in Honor of Reese Elizabeth Hamsmith. LakeRidge Country Club | Lubbock, Texas

The 5th Annual Reese's Purpose Memorial Golf Tournament was our most successful tournament yet, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.

What began as a way to honor Reese's life has grown into something much bigger: a community of people who believe that one child's story can help save the lives of countless others. This year, we welcomed new golfers, new sponsors, new volunteers, and new businesses who chose to stand beside us in our mission to protect children and create safer products.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day came before the tournament even began.

For the first time, Reese's little brother, Brody, proudly served as our official flag bearer. Many of you have watched him grow up over the years through photos, events, and updates from Reese's Purpose. Seeing him walk onto the course carrying the flag was a reminder of why this mission matters so deeply.

Brody never had the chance to know his big sister the way we did. Yet because of this incredible community, he is growing up surrounded by her legacy. He is learning that Reese's life continues to make a difference. He is seeing firsthand that people across the country care enough to show up, give back, and work toward a safer world for children.

That is what this tournament is really about.

Yes, it is a day of golf, competition, and fun. But it is also a day when people come together to ensure Reese's story continues to create change. Every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, donor, and supporter helps fund the education, advocacy, awareness campaigns, and legislative efforts that drive our mission forward all year long.

We are especially grateful for the many new businesses and first-time participants who joined us this year. Your support demonstrates that our message is reaching more families, more communities, and more people who want to be part of making a difference.

While the tournament may be over, the work continues every single day.

As our largest fundraiser of the year, the tournament provides critical support for the programs and initiatives that help us protect children nationwide. If you weren't able to participate this year, or if you'd like to further support our mission, it's not too late to make a contribution.

You can make a one-time donation or become a monthly supporter through our website. Monthly giving provides steady, reliable support that allows Reese's Purpose to plan for the future and continue expanding our impact.

Because of you, Reese's legacy is not just remembered. It is creating change.

And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

July Swim Safety: Why What Your Child Wears in Water Matters

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

When we talk about drowning prevention, we usually focus on supervision, fences, and swim skills, and those matter most. But there is another layer most parents don't think about:

What a child wears in the water can affect how quickly they are seen.

Drowning is fast and often silent. In those moments, visibility can matter in a critical way.

Why Color Matters in Water

Water changes how we see things. Light, movement, and contrast all shift depending on where a child is swimming.

In pools, glare and reflections can make pale colors harder to distinguish
In lakes or natural water, darker environments can reduce contrast even further
From a distance, movement is easier to detect when there is strong color contrast

This is why lifeguards are trained to look for contrast and motion, not just shape.

What Tends to Stand Out Most

There is no perfect swimsuit color that guarantees visibility in every situation, but some patterns are consistently easier to spot in water:

Bright, high-contrast colors (like neon orange, bright pink, or neon green) often stand out more quickly than dark or muted tones.

Colors that can blend in more easily include:

Black or dark blue
Deep green or earth tones
Very light colors in bright glare

A helpful question when choosing swimwear is:

"Would I be able to spot my child quickly if they were under the water?"

That one question changes how you look at color completely.

One Important Reminder

Swimsuit color is not protection on its own.

It works only as one small layer alongside:

Constant, undistracted supervision
Pool fences and barriers
Swim readiness and water skills
Life jackets in open water

The Takeaway

Drowning prevention isn't one action. It's a system of small protections working together.

Even something as simple as color can support faster recognition in an emergency.

Because in water safety, seconds matter, and visibility matters too.

Happy Birthday, Reese

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

On June 13th, we celebrate Reese. She should be seven years old.

There should be balloons and cake and messy frosting smiles and a house full of laughter. There should be photos taken every year in the same spot to see how much she's grown. There should be a future unfolding in front of her. Instead, we carry her in a different way now. But we still celebrate her, because Reese did not leave this world without changing it.

Reese is a world changer.

Since she passed away, her name has become movement, protection, and prevention across homes, hospitals, industries, and policy.

Because of her, Reese's Law was passed, strengthening protections around button batteries and helping reduce risk for children in homes across the country.

Because of her, new conversations are happening every day in emergency rooms, pediatric offices, and public health spaces, conversations that are helping parents recognize danger faster and act sooner.

Because of her, awareness around button batteries and hidden household hazards has expanded from something few people knew about to something families now actively look for and prevent.

Because of her, innovation is happening. Safer product design, improved packaging, and industry accountability are becoming part of the standard conversation around child safety, including collaborations with manufacturers working to reduce preventable risks in everyday products.

Because of her, education has reached parents, caregivers, teachers, and medical professionals, helping people understand not just what button batteries are, but how quickly they can become dangerous.

Because of her, a global movement exists. One that speaks across borders, sharing prevention strategies and raising awareness about hidden hazards in the home so fewer families experience what ours did.

Because of her, Reese's Purpose exists, not just as a name, but as a voice. A voice that advocates, educates, supports families in crisis, and works alongside hospitals, safety experts, and industry partners to prevent other families from living this story.

A voice that speaks internationally.

A voice that helps write standards and push for stronger safety expectations through collaboration with organizations like ASTM and other product safety groups.

A voice that stands with families in the hardest moments and refuses to let their stories be forgotten.

Reese didn't get to grow up.

But she changed the systems that shape childhood.

That is what a world changer is.

Not someone defined by how long they lived, but by how deeply their life altered what comes after them.

At Reese's Purpose, we see her impact every day: in the laws that now exist, in the questions parents are asking, in the products being redesigned, in the awareness that saves lives quietly and quickly, and in the families who will never know her name but will live because of what her life created.

So today, we don't only grieve what should have been.

We honor what is.

Happy birthday, Reese.

You are loved. You are missed. You are changing the world.

Our world changer. Always.

Button Battery Awareness Day: Swap It. Secure It. Store It. Dispose It Safely.

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

June 12 is not just a date on the calendar.

It is Button Battery Awareness Day, a recognized international day of awareness, and the day Reese's Purpose was founded in honor of Reese. It is a reminder that this is not a local issue or a rare issue. It is a global one, affecting families in every country where button batteries are used.

And that is exactly why this message matters:

Not fear. Not overwhelm.

Action.

This year, we are focusing on four simple steps that every household can take:

Swap it. Secure it. Store it. Dispose it safely.

Swap It: Choose Safer Power Where It Matters Most

Every home depends on button batteries. The goal is not to eliminate them; it is to be intentional about how they enter your home.

When replacing batteries, consider upgrading to safer, more thoughtfully designed options like the Energizer Ultimate Child Shield line from Energizer.

These batteries were developed with child safety in mind, including improved packaging and design considerations that help reduce risk in everyday household environments where small batteries are commonly used.

Small upgrades matter. Especially when multiplied across the hundreds of devices in a typical home.

Secure It: The 15-Minute Home Check

Most parents would be surprised how many devices in their home contain button batteries, and how many of those compartments are not fully secure.

Take 15 minutes this month and walk through your home:

Do battery compartments fully close and lock?
Are screws missing or stripped?
Can a child open them without tools?
Do any covers shift, loosen, or pop open when touched?

If yes, fix it immediately.

Tape it. Tighten it. Replace the device if needed.

Assumption is the risk here. Verification is protection.

Store It: Out of Sight, Out of Reach, Always

Spare button batteries are one of the most overlooked risks in the home.

They are small, silent, and often left in places children can access within seconds: drawers, purses, counters, nightstands, or junk containers.

Safer storage looks like:

Locked or elevated storage for all spare batteries
Keeping batteries in original packaging until use
Never leaving loose batteries accessible
Immediate and safe disposal of used batteries

If a child can reach it, it is not stored safely enough.

Dispose It Safely: The Step Most People Miss

Because Button Battery Awareness Day is now an international day of awareness, this final step matters just as much as the others.

Used button batteries are not harmless once "done." They still carry risk if left loose in homes, trash bins, or accessible spaces.

Safe disposal means:

Never leaving used batteries on counters or in open trash
Keeping them in a sealed container until disposal
Following local recycling or hazardous waste guidelines where available
Dropping them off at designated battery recycling locations when possible

Safe homes do not end at use. They end at disposal.

Why June 12 Exists

This day exists because too many families learned too late what most people never see coming.

At Reese's Purpose, June 12 is both remembrance and responsibility. It is a reminder that awareness only matters when it becomes action inside real homes.

And prevention is rarely one big change.

It is a series of small decisions:

What you choose when replacing a battery
Whether you fix a loose compartment
Where you store something after use
How you dispose of what you no longer need

Those are the moments that change outcomes.

A Simple Challenge for This Month

Before June 12 ends, do this:

Walk your home and identify every device that uses a button battery.

Then ask:

Is it secure?
Is it accessible?
Do I know where every spare battery is?
Am I disposing of used batteries safely?

That's it.

Not perfection. Just awareness turned into action.

Download this Guide (English & Spanish)

Reese's Purpose at ASTM International: Driving Meaningful Change in Product Safety

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

This month, Reese's Purpose participated in meetings at ASTM International in Philadelphia, an important forum where product safety standards are developed, evaluated, and strengthened.

Being present in these discussions is a critical part of our mission. While Reese's story is the reason we do this work, our focus in these spaces is on prevention: ensuring that stronger safeguards, clearer requirements, and more effective testing standards are in place to protect children and families. These meetings bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, engineers, medical professionals, and safety advocates, all working toward a shared goal of reducing preventable harm.

Throughout the week, we engaged in meaningful conversations, contributed perspective shaped by real-world impact, and continued building relationships with those committed to advancing safety. It is in these collaborative environments that progress takes shape, where concerns are addressed, improvements are proposed, and standards evolve in ways that can save lives.

We are proud to represent Reese's Purpose in these rooms and remain committed to ensuring that the voices of families are not only heard, but help guide the future of product safety. This work is ongoing, and we will continue to show up, contribute, and advocate for meaningful change.

ASTM International, a voluntary standards developer, publishes standards for a variety of products, systems, and services, including consumer products. These standards establish important testing and performance requirements that products must meet. Areas of focus include juvenile products, toys, playground equipment, candles, and more. ASTM International standards are developed by a broad range of stakeholders, and its technical committees welcome new participants at any time. To learn more or get involved, visit go.astm.org/consumer .

Reese's Purpose x Energizer: A Safer Battery Is Here

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

For years, Reese's Purpose has worked alongside Energizer with a shared goal: to help prevent the kind of injuries that changed our lives forever.

Today, we are proud to share the result of that collaboration: the new Energizer Ultimate Child Shield battery.

This advancement represents a meaningful step forward in product safety. Designed with new protective technology, these batteries are engineered to significantly reduce the risk of serious injury if ingested. While no single solution can eliminate risk entirely, this innovation reflects exactly the kind of progress that happens when advocacy and industry come together with a commitment to do better.

This work did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of conversations, persistence, and a shared belief that safer products are not only possible, but necessary. We are incredibly grateful to Energizer for their leadership, their willingness to listen, and their commitment to prioritizing child safety.

As this product becomes available, we strongly encourage families to take a proactive step: begin replacing the button batteries in your home with this safer alternative. From remote controls and key fobs to toys and small electronics, these everyday items can pose serious risks, making safer choices where possible matters.

To better understand how this technology works and why it matters, we invite you to watch a short video we produced in partnership with Energizer . It walks through the design, the safety features, and the impact this product is intended to have for families everywhere.

At Reese's Purpose, our mission has always been about more than awareness. It's about action. It's about change. And it's about continuing to push for solutions that protect children and give families greater peace of mind.

This is what progress looks like, and we are proud to be part of it.

Batteries Are Not Meant to Be Ingested: Act Immediately if It Happens

Button batteries are extremely dangerous when swallowed and require immediate action.

For children over 1 year old: give 2 teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes, up to 8 doses, on the way to the hospital.
Go to the emergency room immediately. Do not delay seeking treatment.
Tell medical staff right away that you suspect a button battery ingestion.

Button battery ingestions can quickly become life-threatening and may also present as a choking hazard. Every minute matters: rapid action can save a life.

Your Report Could Save a Child's Life

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

By Alex Hoehn-Saric, former Chair, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

I've met parents who turned the worst moment of their lives into a report that protected thousands of other children. That report started on a website most people don't know exists: SaferProducts.gov .

As a former Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), I learned that one of the agency's most underutilized resources is the American public. The CPSC only has a few hundred staff whose time and attention are largely dedicated to addressing known product safety risks. They need your help to identify dangerous consumer products. Addressing new risks often starts not in our labs, but with a parent who took a few minutes to file a report. CPSC cannot be everywhere. You are.

Today, millions of consumer products are sold directly to American families through online marketplaces, many from overseas sellers with little to no oversight. Recent cuts to CPSC's budget and staff have made it even more difficult for the agency to identify new hazards, warn the public, and develop mandatory standards to permanently address safety problems. And even when rules are in place or a recall issued, caregivers can provide help spotting when a manufacturer or retailer ignores the law and sells violative products.

Consider what it took to address the danger of button cell and coin batteries. When these batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death. The passage of Reese's Law was driven in large part by reports and advocacy by families whose children suffered these horrible injuries and chose to speak out. Their reports helped document a pattern of harm needed for the CPSC to engage and ultimately for Congress to act. To implement Reese's Law, CPSC established standards to ensure that products with button cell batteries are manufactured more safely, and the agency is policing the marketplace to ensure compliance.

Reports from the public on dangerous products have prompted CPSC action on countless children and infant products, including inclined sleepers, water beads, and individual toys that were poorly made. CPSC staff take reports of near injuries, injury and death extremely seriously. Agency investigations include internal testing, outreach to affected families, manufacturer engagement, and may ultimately result in a recall or changes in safety regulations.

SaferProducts.gov is where the public can file and read safety-related complaints about consumer products. Don't be intimidated. Provide the information about the product and the incident that you have and CPSC can take it from there. Don't stop at leaving a bad review on a website. Take the extra few minutes and get the details of your child's injury or near injury to the people empowered to do something about it: the CPSC.

As Chair, I always appreciated the support and work of parents to protect others in the community. Many have transformed their personal tragedies into advocacy campaigns to protect other children. They have made a real difference in product safety. I ask you to do the same. Your report could prevent future injuries. Thank you.

Alex Hoehn-Saric served as Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from October 2021 through January 2025.

Research Funding and Mentorship

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The Reese's Purpose Foundation has helped fund a collaborative research study with another nonprofit organization, the Global Injury Research Collaborative. Jackson Moore, an Ohio high school student, was mentored by Dr. Kris Jatana, a Professor and Pediatric ENT Surgeon at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University. The research evaluated whether honey or sucralfate can slow esophageal injury caused by button batteries, including newer batteries with bitter coatings, with or without blue dye.

All button battery types produced the same mechanism and rate of esophageal injury, with tissue pH rapidly increasing to highly alkaline levels. Serial application of honey or sucralfate every 10 minutes effectively neutralized pH and reduced tissue injury across all battery types; the presence of coatings did not diminish treatment effectiveness. Radiographic imaging confirmed that bitter-coated and bitter/blue-dye-coated batteries retained the characteristic double-ring (halo) sign, supporting reliable clinical diagnosis. To date, no published studies have examined injury mechanisms, mitigation strategies, and imaging characteristics of these new coated button batteries. These findings support continued clinical use of honey and sucralfate following button battery ingestion and highlight the need for further innovation toward a safer battery design that prevents severe injury or death.

Jackson received a Superior Rating for this project at the high school district science fair and will compete at the Ohio State Science Fair in May 2026.

National Poison Prevention Week: What Parents Need to Know

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

March 15-21 | National Awareness

March 15-21 marks National Poison Prevention Week, a national effort to prevent accidental poisonings, one of the leading causes of injury for young children in the United States.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of children are exposed to potentially toxic substances. For children under six, most exposures happen at home and involve everyday items: medications, cleaning products, cosmetics, alcohol, and increasingly, button batteries and small electronics.

What many families don't realize is that not all poisonings look dramatic.

Some are immediate and obvious: vomiting, choking, severe pain.
Others are silent at first, especially button battery ingestions, which can cause catastrophic internal burns in as little as two hours, even if a child initially appears fine.

Prevention Requires Layered Protection

Store medications and household chemicals locked and out of sight, not just "up high."
Keep products in original packaging with safety labeling intact.
Check battery compartments to ensure they require a tool (like a screw) to open.
Dispose of used batteries immediately and safely.
Program Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) into your phone.

Behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a preventable injury. Poison prevention is not about blame; it is about systems, product design, education, and accountability working together.

At Reese's Purpose, we advocate for stronger product standards, clearer warning labels, safer battery packaging, and better injury reporting, because prevention must extend beyond the home. Families deserve products designed with safety as the priority, not an afterthought.

Prevention is possible. And it starts with awareness.

Learn More

New Safety Standard for Wearable Sleep Products

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

ASTM F3735 | Infant & Toddler Wearable Sleep Products

There's a new voluntary safety standard impacting infant and toddler sleep products. ASTM F3735 was recently released by ASTM International and covers wearable sleep products such as sleep sacks, transition products, and garments with swaddling features worn by infants and toddlers.

What This Standard Covers

ASTM F3735 sets minimum safety requirements designed to address known hazards, including:

Neck size requirements to help reduce suffocation risk
Swaddle band design requirements to help reduce strangulation risk
Labeling and instructions to support safer use
Construction and durability testing to ensure seams and closures remain intact

Products covered under this standard must not include:

Hoods or head coverings
Pockets
3D decorations or attachments (pom-poms, bows, cords, ties, sequins, etc.)

What It Does Not Cover

This standard does not apply to loose blankets or loose swaddles, step-in blankets that only cover legs/feet, or camping and outdoor sleep products. If a product combines a wearable portion with another item, the standard applies only to the wearable component.

What Parents Should Know

Standards establish minimum safety requirements. Compliance does not mean a product is risk-free. Caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, including placing infants on their backs, on a firm sleep surface, without loose bedding.

Why This Matters

Safety standards evolve based on real-world injury data. Reporting incidents through SaferProducts.gov helps regulators and standards organizations identify patterns and strengthen protections over time.

At Reese's Purpose, we support stronger standards, better reporting, and clearer guidance, because product design and regulation are critical layers of protection for families.

Representing Reese's Purpose at ICPHSO 2026

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

International Consumer Product Health & Safety Organization Annual Symposium

This month, Reese's Purpose was honored to participate in the 2026 Annual Symposium hosted by the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO).

ICPHSO brings together global leaders in product safety, including regulators, manufacturers, retailers, medical professionals, injury prevention experts, and advocates, all focused on one goal: reducing preventable injuries and deaths.

Sitting on that stage, looking out at a room filled with the people who shape product standards and policy worldwide, was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Product safety is not accidental. It is built through data, legislation, design, and accountability.

Throughout the week, conversations centered on emerging hazards, recall effectiveness, regulatory enforcement, and global collaboration. These discussions directly impact the products that enter our homes and the standards companies are required to meet.

Reese's Purpose continues to ensure that families are represented in those rooms. We advocate for stronger reporting, safer battery design, clearer warning labels, and meaningful enforcement of laws like Reese's Law.

The message is clear: prevention is possible when industry, regulators, and advocates work together.

We are proud to be part of shaping that future.

Keep Warm and Safe This Winter: Tips for Using Generators, Furnaces and Space Heaters

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

As winter weather sets in across the country, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an important reminder about the increased risks of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning linked to home heating, generators, and power outages. These dangers are preventable, but only if families have the right information.

From space heaters and fireplaces to generators and smoke/CO alarms, this guidance highlights simple steps that can save lives during winter storms. We strongly encourage every family to take a few minutes to review these safety tips and make sure your home is prepared before temperatures drop.

Please take a moment to read and share this information, especially with families who may be using portable heaters or generators during outages. Awareness and prevention are powerful tools.

More info here

Trista Hamsmith on CBS Mornings: Calling for Action to Protect Kids

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Our Executive Director, Trista Hamsmith, appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss growing concerns about stalled product safety protections, and why children and families can't afford delays. Trista shared how Reese's story led to Reese's Law and reminded viewers that dangerous products, including button batteries, continue to threaten children. Reese's Purpose is urging the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to move swiftly, prioritize children's safety, and fully implement strong protections without further setbacks.

Watch the segment here: New Safety Risks

January Is National Bath Safety Month: Keep Your Kids Safe

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Bath time is part of our daily routine, but it's easy to forget how quickly accidents can happen. January is National Bath Safety Month, making it the perfect time to review safety steps and protect your children.

Each year, dozens of children die from drownings at home, most in bathtubs. The good news is that simple precautions can prevent these tragedies.

Supervision is Key

Even a small amount of water can be dangerous. Never leave a child alone in the bath, not even for a moment. Have everything you need on hand before the bath starts, and drain the tub immediately when bath time is over.

Prevent Slips and Falls

Use non-slip mats in the tub and on the floor, cover faucets with cushions, and secure toilet lids with locks. Anti-slip rugs help prevent slips outside the tub.

Water Temperature

Keep bath water at a safe, comfortable temperature, around 100°F (37.8°C). Test with your wrist or elbow before your child enters to avoid scalds or chills.

Store Medicines and Toiletries Safely

Keep medicines, toiletries, and cleaning products out of reach in locked cabinets or on high shelves. Toilet seat locks can prevent curious toddlers from accidents.

Keep Electronics Away

Never use electrical appliances near water. Store hairdryers, razors, and other devices safely, far from sinks, tubs, or showers.

Bath time should be fun and relaxing. A few simple changes can make all the difference in keeping kids safe and giving families peace of mind.

Post-Holiday Toy Safety Check: A Simple Reset for a Safer Home

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Now that the holiday rush is behind us, this is the perfect time to pause, reset, and do a quick toy safety check around the house. New toys, gadgets, and gifts can easily get mixed in with older items, and that can create hidden hazards we don't always notice in the moment.

Start with a quick clean-out.

Pull toys into one place and look for anything that is broken, missing parts, or no longer played with. Toss what's damaged, and only donate toys that are still safe and complete.

As you sort, take a closer look for:

Cracked plastic or sharp edges
Loose screws, loose parts, or tiny pieces that could break off
Loose or unsecured button batteries in toys, remotes, books, and gadgets
Small, high-powered magnets
Frayed cords, chargers, or damaged wiring
Toys without instructions or safety labels

If something feels questionable, set it aside until you can fix it, or consider getting rid of it.

Think about younger children in the home.

Even if older kids "know better," younger siblings explore with their hands and mouths. Keep small-piece toys, craft sets, magnets, and electronics up high, locked, or in clearly labeled bins.

And please pay special attention to button batteries: they can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed.

Don't forget recalls.

More toys and children's products are recalled each year than most families realize. Take a minute to check anything new, and anything that feels unsafe.

You can also follow Reese's Purpose for weekly and monthly recall alerts, product warnings, and safety reminders to help you stay informed all year long.

A little time now can prevent emergencies later, and helps make home a safer place for every child who plays there.