50 Million Roman Window Shades Recalled Due to Risk of Strangulation

Earlier this month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that multiple firms are recalling millions of units of Window coverings, including Roman shades and roll-up blinds. These window coverings present a serious risk of strangulation to young children. The CPSC said it had 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 or 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 or her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

The recalled Roman shades and roll up blinds were sold by a variety of manufacturers and retailers, including major discount department stores, home improvement stores and window covering manufacturers and retailers. Remedies vary among firms from repair kits to refunds.

Click here to read the complete CPSC press release.