Recalls / 2000-11-01

CPSC, Window Covering Industry Announce Recall to Repair Window Blinds

01023 · Recalled 2000-11-01 · CPSC page

Description

The recall involves millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation. In 1995, CPSC worked with the window covering industry to redesign new window blinds to eliminate the outer loop on the end of pull cords and provide free repair kits so consumers could fix their existing blinds. CPSC issued a safety alert about this hazard and what consumers can do about it, including a detailed description of the free repair kits. Window blinds sold since 1995 no longer have pull cords ending in loops. As a result of the new CPSC investigation, the industry has further redesigned window blinds. Newly manufactured blinds have attachments on the pull cords so that the inner cords can't form a loop if pulled by a young child.

Hazards

The recall involves millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation.

Reported injuries

Since 1991, CPSC has received reports of 130 strangulations involving cords on window blinds. 114 strangulations involve the outer pull cords, and 16 involve the inner cords that hold the blind slats.

Remedy

Consumers who have window blinds with cords in their homes should call the Window Covering Safety Council to receive a free repair kit for each set of blinds in the home. The repair kit will include small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose. The kit also includes safety tassels for pre-1995 window blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops. Consumers should cut the loops and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord. Consumers who have vertical blinds, draperies or pleated shades with continuous loop cords should request special tie-downs to prevent strangulation in those window coverings. Parents should keep window covering cords and chains permanently out of the reach of children. Never place a child's crib within reach of a window blind. Unless the cords can be completely removed from the child's reach, including when the child climbs on furniture, CPSC recommends that parents never knot or tie the cords together because this creates a new loop in which a child could become entangled.

Products

Name	Model	Units
Window blinds with pull cords and inner cords		About 85 million each year

Parties

Distributor: Window Covering Safety Council
Sold at: About 85 million window blinds are sold each year.

Consumer contact

Consumers who have window blinds with cords in their homes should call the Window Covering Safety Council toll-free (800) 506-4636 or visit their website at www.windowcoverings.org

Source: CPSC recall 01023. Inclusion in this database is not legal or medical advice.