New Roman Shades Recall in March 2010 - Over 400,000 Roman Shades and Roll Up Blinds Recalled

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by Ethan Allen

March 4, 2010 - 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: Roman Shades

Units: About 163,000

Wholesaler: Ethan Allen Global Inc., of Danbury, Conn.

Hazard: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Also, strangulation can occur when a child's neck become entangled on the free-standing loop.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves all styles and sizes of Roman shades sold under the Ethan Allen brand name. These custom-ordered, made-to-order shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. The shades have no labels or markings making reference to the Ethan Allen brand.

Read the full U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Notice here.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds by Meijer

March 2, 2010 - 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: Innovations and "At Home with Meijer" Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds

Units: 240,000

Importer/Retailer: Meijer, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Manufacturer: Whole Space Industries LTD, of Centereach, N.Y.

Hazard:

Roll-up Blinds-Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide 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.

Roman Shades-Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves all Innovations and "At Home with Meijer" Roman shades and roll-up blinds. The Roman shades are made with fabric or bamboo and the Roll-up blinds with bamboo. A label reading "Innovation" or "At Home with Meijer" can be found under the headrail.

Read the full U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Notice here.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by Lutron Electronics

March 2, 2010 - 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: Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades

Units: About 5,000

Distributor: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

Manufacturer: Virginia Iron and Metal Company Inc. (VIMCO), of Ashland, Va.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Also, in manual Roman shades, strangulations can also occur if the shade's looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or to the floor and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves all custom-ordered made-to-measure motorized and manual Lutron Shading Solutions Roman shades. The shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. Nearly all shades were professionally installed. "Lutron Shading Solutions" or "Lutron Shading Solutions by VIMCO" is printed on the packaging.

Read the full U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Notice here.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Proclaims 50 Million Window Blinds and Shades Unsafe for Homes with Children Due to Strangulation Hazards

December 15, 2009 - The U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) issued 9 seperate recall notices today for Roman shades and roll up blinds window covering products. Strangulations, near strangulations or strangulation risk was cited in in each notice, which are summarized below.

Near Strangulation of Children Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Louis Hornick & Co. Sold at Ross Stores

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: Newport Energy Solution Roman Shades

Units: About 6,300 (364,000 previously recalled in October 2009

Importer: Louis Hornick & Co. Inc., of New York, N.Y.

Retailer: Ross Stores Inc., of Pleasanton, Calif.

Hazard: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: The shades involved in this recall are the same shades that were subject to Louis Hornick’s previous recall. That recall was prompted by two reports of children becoming entangled in the exposed inner cord on the back of the shade sold by Bed, Bath & Beyond. In July 2008, while in his crib, a 20-month-old boy became entangled in the inner cord from a Roman shade. His grandfather responded to the child’s cries and removed the cord that left a red mark on the right side of his neck. In April 2009, the mother of a 3-year-old boy found her crying son with a cord mark that ran ear to ear on the front of his neck. The boy was able to free himself after becoming entangled in the inner cord. This shade was also sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond. No permanent injuries were sustained in these incidents and no injuries have been reported from the use of any shades sold by Ross stores.

Description: This recall includes all sizes and colors of Newport Energy Solution Roman Shades sold by Ross Stores with exposed inner cords on the back. On the backside of the head rail, a small orange, black and white warning label sticker in English and Spanish which read in part, “Cords and bead chains can loop around child’s neck and STRANGLE. Always keep cords …to get to cords.”

Sold at: Ross Stores nationwide and from March 2009 through October 2009 for between $4 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact Louis Hornick & Company to receive a free repair kit.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Draper Inc.

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: Roman Shades

Units: About 1,800

Manufacturer: Draper Inc., of Spiceland, Ind.

Hazard: These shades have an exposed operating cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. In addition, these shades have a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the shade, posing a strangulation hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves two models of Roman FlexShades – Roman-CL (clutch/manually operated by a bead-chain) and Roman-MO (motorized). They come in a variety of colors and fabric types and are custom sized/made to order. The shade has a wooden head rail and a 9” valance and four (or more) horizontal plastic stacking bars that are placed about 15 inches apart along the length of the fabric; each bar contains two plastic rings.

Sold at: Specialty window covering dealers nationwide from March 2000 through September 2009 for between $450 and $2,100.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and call Draper for a free retrofit kit that removes both the operating cords and the exposed inner cords from the shades.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Shades; Sold Exclusively at West Elm

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: Jute/Poly Roman Shades

Units: About 42,000

Distributor: West Elm of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves all sizes and colors of West Elm Jute/Poly Roman shades. An orange, black and white label located at the bottom edge of the shades warns that “Cords and bead chains can loop around child’s neck and STRANGLE.”

Sold: West Elm catalog nationwide and through the firm’s Web site at www.westelm.com from January 2005 through August 2009 for between $30 and $40.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact West Elm to arrange for free pick up of the shade. A merchandise card in the value of the purchase will be issued once the shade is received by the firm.

Near Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman and Roller Shades Sold at Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBTeens:
Expands previous recall of Roman shades sold at Pottery Barn Kids

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: Roman Shades and Paxton Roller Shades

Units: About 305,000 Roman shades and 45,000 roller shades (about 85,000 Roman shades were recalled on August 26, 2009)

Retailer: Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBteen division of Williams-Sonoma Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: Roman Shades: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Roller Shades: Strangulation can occur if the shade’s looped cord is not attached to the wall with the tension device provided and a child’s neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop.

Incidents/Injuries: Roman Shades: In June 2009, a three-year-old boy became entangled in the inner cord of a Roman shade while standing on his bed looking out of the window. The fabric liner covering the inner cords had detached exposing the inner cords. The child has recovered from the thin laceration around his neck.

Roller Shades: There have been no reports of injuries.

Description: This recall involves all sizes and colors of Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBteen Roman shades with and without fabric backing and the Paxton roller shades.

The Roman shades have two labels; “Pottery Barn”, “potterybarnkids” or “PBteen” is printed on the smaller label and the larger orange, black and white label warns that “Cords and bead chains can loop around child’s neck and STRANGLE.”

The Paxton roller shades are made of solid fabric and have a metal rod at the bottom and a nylon operating cord.

Sold: The Roman shades were sold exclusively through Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBteen catalogs and online at www.potterybarn.com, www.potterybarnkids.com and www.pbteen.com from January 1998 through October 2009 for between $25 and $180.

The Paxton roller shades were sold through the Pottery Barn catalog and online at www.potterybarn.com from January 2003 through October 2009 for between $100 and $120.

Manufactured in: China, Hong Kong, United States, and Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, or PBteen to receive a free repair kit for these products. Consumers should immediately check the recalled roller shades to make sure the tension device provided is attached to the looped cord and installed into the wall. If not attached, consumers should immediately attach the tension device securely to the wall. If they no longer have the tension device, consumers should immediately stop using the roller shades and contact Pottery Barn to receive a replacement tension device.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Matchstick Roll-Up Shades by International Merchandise; Sold Exclusively at 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: Deluxe Matchstick Roll-up Shades

Units: About 355,000

Importer: International Merchandise of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide 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. Also, children can become entangled in the looped pull cord.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Deluxe Matchstick Roll-Up Shades with widths of 24”, 36”, 48” and 72” by 72” long in a “natural” color that are suspended by two cord loops called lifting loops or inner cords. The inner cords are attached to the head rail on one end and on the other end they go through the head rail and a cord lock and end in a looped cord that is used to raise and lower the shade. Both the head rail and bottom rail are made of bamboo and there is a warning label near the bottom that advises: “Young children can become entangled and strangle in cord or bead loops.”

Sold at: Big Lots nationwide from January 2009 through June 2009 for between $5 and $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the roll-up shades and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit.

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.

Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by All Strong Industry

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: Roman Shades

Units: About 290,000

Distributor: All Strong Industry (USA) Inc., of Ontario, Calif.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: In February 2007, a 16-month-old boy in Painesville, Ohio died after becoming entangled in the exposed cord on the backside of a Roman shade and strangled. The child was found face down under a corner of the shade pulled into his crib.

Description: This recall involves Roman shades distributed by All Strong Industry that are made of a white-on-white striped fabric and measure about 64 inches long and the width ranges between 23 and 39 inches. The head rail has a strangulation warning and a label stating “CF" (Ching Feng Fashion Home Fashions Co., Ltd.), “52% Cotton/48% Polyester”, and made in either Taiwan, Thailand or China. “RN 103984” is printed on another sewn-in tag near the bottom back side of the fabric.

Sold at: Walmart stores nationwide and other retailers from January 2003 through May 2005 for between $10 and $20.

Manufactured in: Taiwan, Thailand, and China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled Roman shades immediately and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roll-Up Blinds and Roman Shades by Walmart

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: Roll-up Blinds and Roman Shades

Units: About 1.1 million (600,000 roll-up blinds and 500,000 Roman shades)

Importer: Walmart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: Roll-Up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide 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.

Roman Shades: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported involving Roman shades directly sold by Walmart. However, CPSC is aware of the death of a child from one of these Roman shades sold by another retailer. No incidents or injuries have been reported in roll-up shades.

Description: This recall involves all styles and sizes of fabric, bamboo and jute roll-up blinds and Roman shades.

Sold at: Walmart stores nationwide and at www.walmart.com or www.samsclub.com from January 1999 through September 2009 for between $6 and $30.

Manufactured in: China and Thailand

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and the roll-up blinds and contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org

Near Strangulations of Child Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds by JCPenney

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: Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds

Units: More than 2.2 million Roman shades and about 340 roll-up blinds

Importer: J. C. Penney Purchasing Corp. of Plano, Texas

Hazard: Roman Shades: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Roll-Up Blinds: 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: The firm is aware of two incidents, in January 2009 and in August 2009, in which the same 2-year-old girl from Montgomery, Illinois was looking out the window when she became entangled in the cord found on the backside of Roman shades. In both incidents, the child’s mother removed the loop that left a red mark from ear to ear. The child did not suffer permanent injuries. No incidents or injuries have been reported in roll-up shades.

Description: This recall involves all styles and sizes of Roman shades and roll-up blinds sold by JCPenney.

Sold at: JCPenney Stores, JCPenney Custom Decorating, Catalog and www.jcp.com since at least 1999 to October 2009 for between $10 and $500.

Manufactured in: China, United States and other countries

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled Roman shades and roll-up blinds immediately and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org


Bookmark and Share

Free Case Review by the attorneys of the Onder Law Firm
Fill out the form below, including all contact information and as much detail as possible about your case, and we will contact you upon receipt of your form.

Call the attorneys of the Onder Law Firm at 1-866-828-4699

Have you or a loved one experienced the death of a child due to one of the multiple hazards of Roman shades, roll up blinds or other corded window covering product?

Where were the blinds/window coverings purchased?

Type of Claim:
     

First Name*
Last Name*
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone*
E-mail*
*Required - Phone OR E-mail
Tell us about your case:
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Disclaimer: The accident, injury, personal injury, and/or other legal information offered herein by The Onder Law firm, is not formal legal advice, nor is it the formation of an attorney client relationship. In order for our firm to be considered your attorney there must be a signed agreement between the client and the firm. Any results set forth herein are based solely upon the circumstances of that particular case and offer no promise or guarantee on the outcome of any other case.