Following a June 10 IKEA window blind strangulation hazard recall, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing a multinational initiative to prevent future window covering strangulation deaths and spread the word about the strangulation hazards of corded window shades.
The IKEA recall is in addition to an industry-wide recall already affecting 50 million units, which was initiated by the CPSC in December 2009. This most recent recall brings the total of IKEA recalled window shades to 3,360,00. According to the announcement:
“CPSC and IKEA received a new report of a 1 ½-year old boy in Lowell, Massachusetts who suffered a near strangulation in February 28, 2010. On April 4, 2008, a 1-year old girl in Greenwich, Conn. became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman blind and strangled. CPSC and IKEA also received a report of a 2-year old boy who suffered a near strangulation. The last two incidents prompted previous recalls.”
The recall includes any types of blinds that don’t have a tension device attached to the cord or chain, plus all Roman blinds and roll-up blinds. They were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from January 1998 through June 2009 at a variety of price points from $5 to $55. Consumers should RETURN ALL RECALLED WINDOW COVERINGS TO IKEA for a full refund.
Window Blind Strangulation Risks Posed by the Following Types of Window Shades
- Roller Blinds: These blinds typically have a looped bead chain. If that chain is unattached to the wall or floor and a child gets his or her neck entangled in the loop, a strangulation can occur.
- Roman Blinds: If a children place their head or neck between the the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind, or if the child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck, the child can strangle. Another strangulation hazard is present if the Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that is not attached to the wall or floor.
- Roll-up Blinds: If lifting loops slide off the side of the blind, a child’s neck can become entangled on the free-standing loop or a child can place his or her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material and become strangled that way.
The international initiative to spread awareness of the strangulation dangers associated with these blinds is made up of the CPSC, Health Canada and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers and represents 29 countries. It is the first time these three agencies have joined to demand worldwide safety standards for window coverings.
