CPSC Announces Voluntary Recall to Repair All Roman Shades, Roll-Up Blinds
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a press release announcing that CPSC and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) have issued a voluntary recall to repair all Roman shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children.
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Recall Involves Millions of Roman and Roll-Up Blinds
CPSC notes that this recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up blinds. About five million Roman shades and about three million roll-up blinds are sold each year.
The following retailers and firms are listed as participating in the recall: Window Safety Council, Walmart, JCPenney, Lotus and Windoware, All Strong Industry, Pottery Barn Stores, International Merchandise, West Elm, The Land of Nod, Louis Hornick, and Draper.
Reports of Death, Near Strangulation, Due to These Products
CPSC has received reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations since 2006 in Roman shades, and three deaths since 2001 in roll-up blinds.
Free Repair Kits Provided for Existing Blinds and Window Coverings
CPSC states that over the years, CPSC has been investigating deaths associated with different types of window coverings and has worked with the WCSC to address the hazards posed by them. In 1994 and in 2000, CPSC and WCSC announced recalls to repair horizontal blinds to prevent strangulation hazards posed by pull cord and inner cord loops.
As a result of CPSC investigations, the industry has modified its products and provides free repair kits for existing horizontal blinds and other window coverings.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/16/09 news, 09121699 4, for previous BP summary of this recall.)
CPSC contact - Recall Hotline (800) 638-2772
CPSC press release (dated 12/15/09) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10073.html
CPSC press release (posted 12/16/09) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10077.html