You’ve most likely heard - it’s all over the news – about a massive voluntary recall to repair some 50 million roman shades and roll up shades. The following article will give you information on what you should know and what you should do.
The facts:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) are announcing today a voluntary recall to repair all Roman shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. This recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up blinds.
The CPSC has received reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations, since 2006, in Roman shades and three deaths, since 2001, in roll-up blinds.
What you can do:
The Window Covering Safety Council is offering free retrofit kit(s) for all roman shades and roll-up shades. Go to their website or call them toll-free at 1-800-506-4636.
Here’s a link on how to use the retrofit kit, it is pretty simple.
Click here to learn more about basic cord safety.
List of retailers and vendors involved in the recall, with links for more information on the recall from CPSC.gov website:
Walmart – 500,000 Roman shades 600,000 Roll-up blinds Walmart stores and other retailers
JCPenney – More than 2.2 million Roman Shades 340 Roll-up blinds JCPenney
Lotus and Windoware – 250,000 Roll-up Blinds sold at Ace Hardware and Big Lots
All Strong Industry – 290,000 Roman shades sold at Walmart stores and other retailers
Pottery Barn Stores – 350,000 Roman shades 45,000 Roller shades sold at Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn, and PBTeens
International Merchandise – 355,000 Roll-up Blinds sold at Big Lots
West Elm – 42,000 Roman shades sold on West Elm’s catalog and website
The Land of Nod – 2,000 Roman shades sold at Land of Nod Stores
Louis Hornick – 6,300 Roman shades sold at Ross stores
Draper – 1,800 Roman shades sold at Specialty window covering dealers nationwide
As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most of the shades involved in this recall, as well as previous recalls, are low cost, discount products, typically sourced from third world countries with minimal accountability.
If you are in the market for window treatments, I urge you to consider spending a little more on blinds made by the major vendors who have an interest in maintaining their reputation in the market, i.e. it’s in their interest to design and build high-quality products. Not to mention that quality blinds simply work better and last a lot longer.
In conclusion, if you are one of the millions affected by this recall, fix your shades. It’s simple and free. And, in the future, buy cordless blinds and shades from reputable vendors, it’s worth it.
