Indiana Product Alert: Millions of Window Blinds, Roman Shades Recalled for Strangulation Hazards
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Coverings Safety Council, a group of manufacturers and importers of window coverings has announced a recall of 50 million Roman shades and blinds because of their risk of strangulation hazards. The recall comes after 8 strangulation deaths of children linked to entanglement in shades and blinds, and at least 16 other incidents where children got entangled, and were at risk of strangulation.
The recall is the second largest in US history and involves more than 50 million shades and roll up blinds sold at Wal-Mart, Pottery Barn and several of the country’s biggest retailers. The CPSC and the Window Coverings Safety Council is recommending that families with children should avoid rollup blinds and window shades, and have cordless window shades instead. The CPSC is encouraging parents to either get cordless coverings, or ask for a free repair kit to secure the existing coverings.
It’s important that parents be alert to the possible hazards from dangling cords. We don’t think of window shades and Venetian blinds as being dangerous, but there have been far too many instances of children getting entangled in the cords, and being strangled to death. It is clear that whatever existing safety standards are being used to manufacture these shades and blinds, they are simply not strong enough to protect children. The CPSC chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum has confirmed as much. She says her agency is working with the Window Coverings Safety Council to develop stronger standards for these products.
The CPSC is encouraging parents to have a close look at all shades and blinds at home, to ensure that there are no cords accessible on the front, side or back of the window covering
Place cribs and other baby furniture away from windows, so children can’t access the cords
Tuck away loose cords, so children can’t reach them. If your shades come with looped chains or cords, install tension devices to stretch the cord and reduce the strangulation hazard.
The Indiana product liability lawyers at Theodoros & Rooth represent victims injured by defective products including, toys, cribs, car seats and other children’s products, auto defects, and unsafe pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. .
