Strangulation risk prompts massive voluntary recall of roman shades and roll-up blinds - December 31, 2009

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced December 15, 2009 that multiple manufacturers and retailers of window coverings are voluntarily recalling millions of roman shades and roll-up blinds due to the risk of strangulation of young children.

Since 2006, the CPSC has received 5 reports of deaths and 16 near strangulations related to roman shades. There were three deaths related to roll-up blinds since 2001. The recall affects more than 50 million roman shades and roll-up blinds.

The strangulation danger results from instances where a child gets their neck between the fabric on the back side of the shade and the exposed inner cord or where the child pulls the cord out and gets it wrapped around their neck. Roll-up blinds create a danger when the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and the child gets their neck entangled in the free-standing loop of if a child gets their neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

The affected roman shades and roll up blinds have been sold by major discount department stores, home improvement stores as well as window covering manufacturers and retailers. Some of the participating retailers in the massive recall include Wal-Mart, JC Penney and Pottery Barn.

The recall remedies range from repair kits to refunds. Chairman Inez Tenenbaum urged all homes where small children live or visit to avoid the deadly danger of roman shades and roll-up blinds by availing themselves of the available recall remedies. "Parents need to make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of their window coverings," said the Chairman.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission along with the Window Covering Council, urge all parents and caregivers to prevent strangulation risks by following the following guidelines:

Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side or back of the product. CPSC recommends the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

Do not place cribs, beds and furniture close to windows with corded window coverings because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.

Make loose cords inaccessible.

If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

Consumers can obtain free retro-fit kits for the recalled items online at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling the Window Covering Safety Council at 800-506-4636.

Information about the recall and the products affected can be found at the CPSC website at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10077.html