roman-blindsUp to 50 million Roman-Style blinds and shades are scheduled to be recalled as the US Consumer Product Safety Commission is concerned about the risk to young children.  At the core of the concern is the fact that children may get tangled and strangle themselves in the cords.

Roman shades and roll up blinds have been under attack as they have been linked to the deaths of eight young children since 2001.  The online Wall Street Journal reports that there have also been 16 near strangulations.  Venetian blinds and vertical blinds have also been under scrutiny as the strings used to open and close the blinds are often accessible to children.  Eighty-five million Venetian blinds were recalled in 2000 for the same reason. 

Blinds Safety Record

Federal product safety regulators identify that approximately one child every month is strangled by a cord from a window covering.  Concern is not only from the cords used to open and close the blinds but as the US Consumer Product Safety Commission outlines in their press August 2009 release the blinds “do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out”. 

Vertical blinds, Cellular shades and Venetian blinds are all identified as having string issues.  To prevent any loss of life the CPSC recommends that cordless window coverings be used if children are in the home.  Free retro-fits are available from the CPSC and an associated group called the Window Covering Safety Council.  Recalls from nation wide stores involve Wal-mart, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Big Lots Inc. and JC Penny. 

The Chicago Tribune reports that mother, Linda Kaiser, who tragically lost her daughter, is on a mission to preventing the same thing from happening to someone else’s child.  Kaiser was happen with the announcement from the CPSC to recall more that 50 million blinds because of the risk of children becoming tangled in the cords.

Where to Find Additional Information

The CPSC has reported five deaths and 16 near strangulations from the adjustable cords on fabric looped Roman shade and three deaths associated with roll up blinds since 2001.  To better understand the recall and identify the types involved visit the commission’s website  for more information.

The roll up blinds are of a concern if the loop used to open and lift the shade slips off the side of the blind.  This leaves a loop large enough for a child to put there head and ultimately get tangled.  Also there is concern that a child may get stuck between the blind material and the string used to lift the blind.