Voluntary Corrective Plan - Free Retrofit Kits
December 15, 2009
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) announced an industry-wide voluntary corrective action plan covering roman-style shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the potential hazard of strangulation to young children. The recall involves window coverings that can form a loop and cause strangulation. Additional information and free retrofit kits are available from www.windowcoverings.org or bay calling the WCSC's toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.
Blindsgalore is currently working with our vendors to confirm if any of the products we sell pose a potential risk. This potentially includes fabric roman shades and woven wood/bamboo shades sold by Blindsgalore. Previous recalls have not affected any products we offer. We will be updating this page as soon as we have more specific information. The products we sell are manufactured to the highest safety guidelines available; many of our vendors are even part of the Window Coverings Safety Council and help establish stricter guidelines and safer window treatments.
If you currently have roman-style shades that are in reach of small children, we recommend to immediately stop using these shades and request the free repair kit.
As a reminder, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines to maximize window-cord safety when young children are present:
- Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today's safer products.
- Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
- Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
- Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.
