Did you know…?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and Health Canada announced a voluntary recall to repair all roll-up blinds and Roman shades. which pose a potential strangulation hazard to young children.
Canada:
- Canadians may obtain a free retrofit kit for Roman style fabric looped and flat panel shades and roll up blinds online from the WCSC at www.windowcoverings.org (English only) or
- by calling WCSC toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.
- Health Canada: (613) 957-2991 or 1-866 225-070 or by visiting the Health Canada Web site
United States:
- contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or
- visit www.windowcoverings.org
- CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
For more info:
- http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/familyhealth/children%27shealth/article/738956–strangulation-deaths-spark-recall-of-50m-blinds
- http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091215/health/health_us_recall_blinds
- http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10712.html
Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roll-Up Blinds by Lotus & Windoware: Sold Exclusively at Ace Hardware and Big Lots
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: ¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds
Units: About 250,000
Importer: Lotus & Windoware Inc., of Memphis, Tenn.
Hazard: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
Incidents/Injuries: None.
Description: This recall involves all roll-up blinds without release clips (see picture below). The roll-up blinds have plastic, ¼” oval-shaped slats, and measure either 48” or 72” long. The blinds were sold with two warning hang tags indicating ways to avoid strangulation.
Sold at: Ace Hardware and Big Lots stores nationwide from January 1999 through April 2009 for between $6 and $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using the blinds immediately and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org
Note: Examine all shades and blinds in your 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.
Picture of Recalled Oval Roll-up Blind
Picture of Recalled Oval Roll-up Blind showing cord
Roll-Up Blind without Release Clip
Roll-Up Blind without Release Clip
Roll-Up Blind with Release Clip
Roll-Up Blind with Release Clip
Connect with Us!CPSCs OnSafety BlogSee our videos on You TubeFollow us on TwitterSee our pictures on Flickr