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Feds, Industry Issue Recall for Corded Shades and Blinds

Recalls prompted by child strangulations

December 15, 2009
The potential hazard of strangulation to young children has prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) to announce an industry-wide voluntary corrective action plan covering roman-style shades and roll-up blinds. The recall involves window coverings that can form a loop and cause strangulation.

According to information provided by CSPC, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling in window cords since 1990.

"Parents need to understand that these are hidden dangers, that a child can get entangled or strangled on these cords very quickly," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in an interview on NBC's Today program.

Consumers can obtain free retrofit kits for roman style fabric looped and flat panel shades and roll up blinds online at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling WCSC's toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

Parents and caregivers are being reminded of potential window-cord dangers and are urged to make the right choice and use only cordless window products in homes with young children. Owners and renters should replace all window coverings in the home made before 2001 with today's safer products.

To insure window-cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today's safer products.

• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.

• Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.

• Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.

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