Death of Child Prompts Recall of Window Blinds by Blind Xpress
Recall 12273 · Sep 6, 2012 · Blind Xpress
139,000
units affected
139,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 12273
- Date
- Sep 6, 2012
- Company
- Blind Xpress
- Units affected
- 139,000
- Product
- Custom-made Vertical and Horizontal blinds
- Product type
- Window Shades and Venetian Blinds and Indoor Shutters
- Hazard
- Strangulation
The product
This recall involves all Blind Xpress custom-made vertical blinds that do not have a cord-tensioning device that attaches to the wall or floor, as well as all horizontal blinds that do not have inner cord stop devices.
What can happen
The vertical blinds have an adjustment cord that forms a loop that is not attached to the wall or floor. In some instances, this loop has a weighted device at the bottom. The horizontal blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. A child can become entangled in a cord loop and strangle.
The fix
For more information, contact the WCSC toll-free at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- In 2009, a 2-year-old girl from Commerce Township, Mich. reportedly strangled in the loop of a vertical blind cord that was not attached to the wall or floor.
- Sold at
- Various blind specialty stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana from January 1995 through December 2011 for between $16 and $380.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled custom-made vertical and horizontal blinds?
For more information, contact the WCSC toll-free at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org
What is the hazard?
The vertical blinds have an adjustment cord that forms a loop that is not attached to the wall or floor. In some instances, this loop has a weighted device at the bottom. The horizontal blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. A child can become entangled.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.