Blinds & shades recalled after deaths

More than 5.5 million blinds and shades have been recalled by several companies following the deaths of three children who were strangled by cords, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The shades were sold at Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids, Target, and other retailers across the country.

In one of the three deaths reported by the CPSC, a 1-year-old Maine boy was found strangled in November 2007 on a cord loop that was dangling into his portable crib. A 13-month-old Arkansas boy strangled on the cord on the back of a Roman shade, and a 4-year-old Florida girl strangled on the loop of a vertical-blind cord. Seven other children were found in various stages of distress with cords wrapped around their necks but were freed by parents or caregivers.

In all of the six recall notices, the CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman shades and roll-up blinds in their homes. If they find looped pull cords, exposed inner cords, or exposed lifting loops and children live in or visit the home, they should consider replacing the blinds or shades with products that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Here are the recall details:

• 4.8 million Lewis Hyman roll-up blinds and Roman shades. The blinds were sold at various retailers from January 1999 to December 2003; the shades were sold at Target from March 2006 to December 2008.
• 245,000 Lutron roller shades sold at Expo Design Centers and specialty dealers nationwide from January 2000 to April 2009.
• 163,000 Victoria Classics Roman shades sold at Target nationwide from September 2008 through June 2009.
• 120,000 Ikea Roman shades sold at Ikea stores nationwide from August 2006 through June 2008.
• 85,000 Pottery Barn Kids Roman shades sold through the Pottery Barn Kids catalogs and on its Web site from January 2003 through May 2007.
• 32,600 Vertical Land blinds and shades sold at Vertical Land stores in Panama City and Pensacola, Fla., from January 1992 through December 2006.

According to the CPSC, about one child per month dies after becoming entangled in the cord of window blinds.

Consumers who have one of the affected products should stop using it and call the specific company for a remedy.

We recommend that you repair or replace blinds, shades, and draperies that were purchased before 2001. To receive a free repair kit from the Window Covering Safety Council, call 800-506-4636.