The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced three separate recalls of Roman Blinds and Roller Shades due to strangulation risks.
IKEA Roller Blinds
About 533,000 ISDANS, TUPPLUR, and ENJE Roller Blinds have been recalled by the distributor, IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Although no injuries or incidents have been reported to date, the CPSC is advising that strangulations can occur if the blind’s looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor with the tension device provided, and a child’s neck becomes entangled in the freestanding loop.
This recall involves all ISDANS, TUPPLUR, and ENJE roller blinds, which are made of a solid or sheer fabric, measure 24 inches to 79 inches in width, and have a metal top rail and a bead chain. ENJE has a glued label on the wall fitting showing the IKEA logotype, article number, five-digit supplier number, four-digit date stamp (YYWW), and the verbiage “Made in Taiwan.” The roller blinds have an orange warning label attached at the base of the blind that is marked with AA-136800-3. The recalled blinds, which were manufactured in Taiwan and France, were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through July 2009 for between $10 and $55.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately check the recalled roller blinds to ensure the tension device provided is attached to the bead chain and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, consumers should immediately stop using the roller blinds and contact IKEA or visit their local IKEA store to receive a free repair kit. The repair kits for the roller blinds will be available the second week of November. Any consumers experiencing difficulty installing the tension device should contact IKEA for additional information toll-free at 1-888-966-4532 anytime, or at the firm’s Web site at www.ikea-usa.com.
Whole Space Roman Shades
About 90,000 Faux Suede Roman Shades, which were made in China, imported by Hanover Direct Inc.—also known as Domestications—of Weehawken, New Jersey, and manufactured by Whole Space Industries LTD, of Centereach, New York, have been recalled. 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. In March 2008, a two-year-old boy from Ocean View, Delaware climbed up on a toy chest to look out of a window and became entangled in the inner cords of the Roman shade. His parents removed the cord, which left a temporary red mark around his neck. No permanent injuries were sustained.
This recall involves all Faux Suede room-darkening Roman shades with style number 12810A. The shades were sold in Ivory, Taupe, Gold, Plum, Wine Red, Midnight Blue, Moss Green, and Dark Brown and have a head rail that measures 23, 27, 31, 35, 39 43, or 48 inches. The shades have a sticker on the head rail with the letters “WS”; “style 12810A” is printed on the packaging box. The recalled Faux Suede Roman Shades were sold at Hanover Direct/Domestications via the Internet at www.domestications.com and through catalog sales nationwide from January 2004 through December 2008 for between $20 and $40.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Hanover Direct/Domestications for a free retrofit kit that removes both the operating cords and the exposed inner cords from the shades. Hanover Direct/Domestications can be reached toll-free at 1-800-524-0597 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time daily, or at the firm’s Web site at www.domestications.com.
Louis Hornick & Company Roman Shades
About 364,000 Dublin Energy Solution Roman Shades, which were made in China and imported by Louis Hornick & Co. Inc., of New York, New York have been recalled. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the back of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. To date, there have been two reports of children becoming entangled in the exposed inner cord. In July 2008, while in his crib, a 20-month-old boy became entangled in the shade’s inner cord. 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 three-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. No permanent injuries were sustained in these incidents.
This recall includes all sizes and colors of Dublin Energy Solution Roman Shades sold by Bed Bath & Beyond with exposed inner cords on the back. Colors include navy, chocolate, khaki, and cream. On the back side of the head rail, is a small orange, black, and white warning label sticker in English and Spanish which reads in part, “Cords and bead chains can loop around child’s neck and STRANGLE. Always keep cords … to get to cords.” The recalled Dublin Energy Solution Roman Shades were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., of Union, New Jersey and online at www.bedbathandbeyond.com from August 2007 through September 2009 for between $40 and $130.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact Louis Hornick & Company to receive a free repair kit. The repair kit will be available by the end of November and Louis Hornick & Company can be reached toll-free at 1-800-517-3612 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time daily, or at the firm’s Web site at www.hornickindustries.com.
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