Two Roman shade recalls are the latest in a long line of similar window blind recalls issued over the past few months due to a child strangulation hazard. Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades and Innovations and “At Home with Meijer” Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds are both being recalled, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
This style of window covering is so popular that in December 2009 the CPSC launched a massive recall of millions of these Roman-style and roll-up shades, involving multiple manufacturers and retailers. According to the CPSC:
“CPSC has received reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations in Roman shades since 2006 and three deaths in roll-up blinds since 2001. Strangulations in Roman shades occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the back side of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Strangulations in roll-up blinds occur when 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.”
The two latest recalls, announced in early March, involve two different companies:
- About 5,000 Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades, distributed by Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa. These custom-ordered, made-to-measure motorized and manual shades were sold at specialty dealers and Expo Design Centers nationwide from January 2000 through August 2009.
- About 240,000 Innovations and “At Home with Meijer” Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds by Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer. The window coverings are made of fabric or bamboo and were sold at Meijer Stores and Meijer.com between January 2004 and December 2009.
Consumers should immediately stop using these Roman and roll-up style shades and contact the manufacturer or retailer to learn about how to replace or repair them. For more general window blind safety information, consumers can contact the Window Covering Safety Council.
