Window Shade Recall: Facts & Resources
EmailThe government and the window covering industry are urging parents to check the cords on their blinds and shades at home, to make sure they don't pose a danger to young children. Today, a giant recall was issued for more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because the cords pose a strangulation hazard to children.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission urged owners of Roman blinds or roll-up shades to call the Window Covering Safety Council for information on the repair kit at (800) 506)-4636, or visit their website. Consumers can also buy roll-up blinds with a breakaway device that gives way if a child is caught in the cord, or use blinds that do not have cords at all.
To help prevent child strangulation in window coverings, the CPSC and the WCSC provided the following guidelines for parents and caregivers to follow:
- Take a good look at all shades and blinds in the home and make sure there aren't any accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the blinds. The CPSC and the WCSC recommended using cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.
- Do not place cribs, beds and furniture close to the windows. Do not give children a chance to climb on them and gain access to the cords.
- Make loose cords inaccessible to children.
- If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, you can install tension devices to keep the cord taut.
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When I raised my two children 20 years ago, they simply were not out of my sight for long enough to become entangled in anything, This is a sad comment on the state of parenthood, not of products like these that have been around for decades.
Posted by: Pat | December 15, 2009, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
This is a bunch of bunk made up from lawyers looking to make a buck. Please stop it. There are millions of babies aborted each year. Does anyone understand this.
Posted by: enlightened | December 15, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
This, and many other recalls like it, are frankly just dumb. There is nothing wrong with these blinds. When you have a small child you do a little thing called child proofing your house. This would fall in that category. It is horrible that babies have died, but maybe have the intelligence to place a crib away from and area where there is a cord dangling down in it. Keeping an eye on them ad don’t let them play in the blinds would also be wise. People need to stop complaining and filing lawsuits over things that they could prevent.
Posted by: Jason | December 15, 2009, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
What were the “loving, attentive, caring” parents doing when their children were trying to hang themselves with the blind cord? It’s not the blind makers fault that the parents aren’t worth a ####. If you’re going to have kids, then take care of them. That’s the problem today, no one takes responsibility for their own actions, it is always someone else’s fault for their stupidity.
Posted by: John S. | December 15, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
At what point are people going to take the responsibility for their actions. I raised two children and a little commen sense goes a long way. Why would you put a crib near a window with a blind. Why would you put the child by the window in the first place. I am sorry for the lives that were lost but it’s time to stop and think. Be responsible and don’t blame others for your stupidity.
Posted by: Jan | December 15, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
Children also die every year falling down stairs.
Outlaw them all!!! Mandate elevators for all multi-story family homes!!! The government needs to save us from ourselves!!! It’s a crisis!!!
Posted by: Mary | December 15, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Why change something that has been around forever? CHILDPROOF YOUR HOME!! Maybe companies can offer “child proof” blinds. And leave alone what has been working fine for the rest of us!!!!!
Posted by: Julie S. | December 15, 2009, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
A few incidents from a million+ of units sold — since when does that signify a product problem? You need to child proof your home and not affect adult households that will never have this problem. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SELF RESPONSIBILITY? HAS SOCIETY NOW BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE PARENTING OF YOUR CHILD — then don’t have kids.
Posted by: devo | December 15, 2009, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
This is not NEW news-it was first reported several years back.Everything old is new again! My child is 48 and I knew where she was at all times. The way parents parent today, maybe the VILLAGE should take over! Grandparents are getting too old. Bet most people now do not even know why Mothers put the long, long dresses on crawling babies.
Posted by: Mary S | December 17, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Window shades are being sold in various styles and prices today. How can we save budget choosing one?
Posted by: South Windsor B | April 12, 2011, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm