Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Shades; Sold Exclusively at West Elm
Recall 10072 · Dec 15, 2009 · West Elm
42,000
units affected
42,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 10072
- Date
- Dec 15, 2009
- Company
- West Elm
- Units affected
- 42,000
- Product
- Jute/Poly Roman Shades
- Product type
- Blinds, Shades & Cords
- Hazard
- Strangulation
The product
This recall involves all sizes and colors of West Elm Jute/Poly Roman shades. An orange, black and white label located at the bottom edge of the shades warns that "Cords and bead chains can loop around child's neck and STRANGLE."
What can happen
Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
The fix
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact West Elm to arrange for free pick up of the shade. A merchandise card in the value of the purchase will be issued once the shade is received by the firm.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- None reported.
- Sold at
- West Elm catalog nationwide and through the firm's Web site at www.westelm.com from January 2005 through August 2009 for between $30 and $40.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled jute/poly roman shades?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact West Elm to arrange for free pick up of the shade. A merchandise card in the value of the purchase will be issued once the shade is received by the firm.
What is the hazard?
Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
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.