The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a major recall of popular window coverings. As many as 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds are being recalled after reports of babies and toddlers dying from strangulation. The CPSC says the shades and roll-up blinds, which have cords that can get caught around children’s necks. The danger centers around the possibility of an infant’s head getting caught between the cord and the fabric, as well as the baby’s head getting caught in the cord.
The CPSC said 5 children have died of strangulation and 16 others have been nearly strangled since 2006 because of the Roman shades, which pose a problem because of space between the inner cord and the shade fabric.
Roll-up blinds have a large loop at the end of the cord that can strangle young children, the CPSC said, adding that 3 children have died from the roll-up blinds’ hazard since 2000. The recall affects 27 million roll-up blinds.
The commission said about 5 million Roman shades and 3 million roll-up blinds are sold each year.
The CPSC is now working with the Window Covering Safety Council to provide repair kits at numerous retailers including JC Penney, Wal-Mart, Pottery barn and other big retailers.
This is not the first time a major recall of blinds has been issued. Back in 2000 the CPSC also worked with the Window Covering Safety Council to recall 85 billion window blinds. The recall mostly affected Venetian and vertical blinds. An official from the CPSC adds that the current standards are not adequate to protect the safety of children.” Spokesman Scott Wolf says “The recall will push the industry in the right direction to see what other stronger steps can be taken.”
As mentioned in past blogs, it is imperative that consumers, especially parents be diligent when purchasing items that could affect children. This latest recall of blinds is a perfect example of the potential harm a basic household product can cause.
Child injuries are very serious and can leave a parent feeling helpless. If you believe your child has been injured because of a defective or recalled product, please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927 today.
