All Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds Recalled Due to Child Strangulation Risks

All brands of Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds – 50 million products in all – are being recalled because children may become entangled and strangled in the cords on the window coverings.

The sweeping safety action, announced this week by the government and the window covering industry, is the latest massive recall of shades and blinds. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the products have caused at least eight deaths and 16 near-strangulations of children since 2001.

About one million Roman shades and roller blinds were ordered recalled in October 2009 due to strangulation risks.

The recalled products were sold under many brand names at major retailers such as Pottery Barn, Wal-Mart, and JCPenney. They are installed in millions of American homes, including those with young children who may be killed or seriously injured in accidents involving the window coverings.

Children may get their head or neck stuck in the strings that allow the window shades to be rolled up or down, safety officials said. Children may also be seriously injured when they get their neck stuck between the loops in the Roman shade fabric and the hanging cords, according to an Associated Press report.

The CPSC and the window covering industry encourage parents to carefully examine all shades and blinds in their homes to make sure the products have no accessible cords. Parents and other child care providers also are advised not to place cribs, beds, or other furniture close to windows, since infants and toddlers can climb on the furniture and reach the cords.

AUTHOR: tgrenda

One Response to “All Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds Recalled Due to Child Strangulation Risks”

Posted by elder care on July 21st, 2010 at 6:31 PM

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