Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roll-Up Blinds by Lotus & Windoware: Sold Exclusively at Ace Hardware and Big Lots
Recall 10069 · Dec 15, 2009 · Lotus & Windoware Inc.
250,000
units affected
250,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 10069
- Date
- Dec 15, 2009
- Company
- Lotus & Windoware Inc.
- Units affected
- 250,000
- Product
- ¼" Oval Roll-up Blinds
- Product type
- Blinds, Shades & Cords
- Hazard
- Strangulation
The product
This recall involves all roll-up blinds without release clips (see picture below). The roll-up blinds have plastic, ¼" oval-shaped slats, and measure either 48" or 72" long. The blinds were sold with two warning hang tags indicating ways to avoid strangulation.
What can happen
Strangulations can occur if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
The fix
Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using the blinds immediately and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- None.
- Sold at
- Ace Hardware and Big Lots stores nationwide from January 1999 through April 2009 for between $6 and $20.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled ¼" oval roll-up blinds?
Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using the blinds immediately and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit.
What is the hazard?
Strangulations can occur if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
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.