US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Lead-laden children's jewelry, exploding chain saws, and flammable pajamas all fall under the purview of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency protects Americans from more than 15,000 types of products that could cause property damage, injury, or death. It makes sure that toys, cribs, exercise equipment, household chemicals, and other things sold to consumers are reasonably safe from fire, electrical, mechanical, and chemical hazards or anything that could harm children. The agency issues product recalls, maintains the National Injury Clearinghouse, publishes safety information, and runs a hotline with recorded safety information. Its annual budget is in the neighborhood of $80 million.