5.5 million shades recalled by retailers after strangulation deaths

After the deaths of three children and the near strangulation of at least seven others, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 5.5 million window blinds and shades because the cords pose a strangulation hazard. The shades were sold at Target, Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids and other retailers.

We have longed warned parents about the dangers of blind cords in homes with small children including telling caregivers to take the precaution of moving all cribs, beds, furniture, and toys away from windows and window cords.

In one of the three deaths reported by the CPSC, a one-year-old Maine boy strangled on a cord loop that was dangling into his crib. A 13-month old Arkansas boy strangled on the cord on back of a Roman shade and a four-year-old Florida girl strangled on the loop of a vertical blind cord. Seven other children were found in various stages of distress with cords wrapped around their necks but were freed by parents or caregivers.

On all six notices, the CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman shades and roll-up blinds in their homes. If looped pull cords, exposed inner cords, or exposed lifting loops are found and children are in the home or visit the home, consider replacing the blinds or shades with products that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Here are the details of today's recalls. Check the recall notices for photos and refund remedies.

4.8 million Lewis Hyman roll-up blinds and Roman shades
Sold: Roman shades were sold at Target from March 2006 to December 2008. The roll-up blinds were sold at various retailers from January 1999 to December 2003.

245,000 Lutron roller shades
Sold: At Expo Design Centers and specialty dealers nationwide from Jan. 2000 to April 2009.

163,000 Victoria Classics Roman shades
Sold: At Target nationwide from September 2008 through June 2009

120,000 IKEA Roman shades
Sold: At IKEA stores nationwide from August 2006 through June 2008.

85,000 Pottery Barn Kids Roman shades
Sold: Through Pottery Barn Kids catalog and Web site from January 2003 through May 2007.

32,600 Vertical Land blinds and shades

Sold: At Vertical Land stores in Panama City and Pensacola, Fla. from January 1992 through December 2006.

Our take: We are stunned that it has taken so long to recall these products when the hazard of cords on blinds has been well known for many years. Many were sold by major retailers who should have been aware of the dangers before putting them on the shelves. The cost of the delay has been dire indeed.

Comments

[MBV31]

Are the commenters without children themselves I have to wonder? Clearly the manufacturer has a responsibility to at least include a warning label on the cord when they learn of the first several accidents. After the first death I would think that it would be mandatory to warn consumers.

Twenty-four/seven is more than any other full-time job you will ever love. If a parent were to be made aware of the potential for harm I believe that the vast majority or all would insure that the cords were out of reach of their precious little ones. It would never occur to most people to think that there would be danger in such a common household item Publicity is the only way parents and caregivers could become aware of the problem.

[Barbara]

I agree that there is an incredible lack of parental supervision, and I, too, am sick and tired of manufacturers getting blamed for the inadequacy of the parents raising children these days. I have the common sense to roll up the strings on shades OR blinds to prevent my animals from being injured. Why can't parents do the same for their precious offspring?

[jsydney]

Yes,I would like to know how instructing a tiny toddler ages one to three years old to not touch or play with the cords attached to window blinds or shades. Get real, it is the responsibilty of the parent to protect the child.

[Ed Mendlik]

Here we go again blaming manufacturers for what is clearly parental responsibility. When are we going to place the blame where it belongs. A parents job is to instruct their children on what they should and should not play with or even get near in some cases. It is not the responsibility of anyone who makes a product to supervise other peoples children. When they make the product it should be made with as many safety features as necessary to prevent accidents but they can't be held responsible for parental negligence!!!

[Michelle Mobley]

I can understand that Target and Ikea allowed these products to get past them .... But, a company that calls itself Pottery Barn "KIDS"! You would think that they would have inspectors and testers in place to be sure that the merchandise they sell is safe for "KIDS"! It's a shame that retail is such a low paying endeavor - on all levels except the execs who do so little. ...

[cindy]

What stuns me is the inadequate parental supervision. Yes, I do agree there should have been something done about the cords a long time ago because there are so many ignorant people who do not realize the cords should be rolled up and secured up out of reach of small children and definately nothing placed near those windows where a child can climb up and reach them. There is potential harm in a lot of things in our homes. It is the parents resposibility to make sure their children don't come into contact with these things.