Window Blinds Recall

The second largest window blinds recall is underway as I write this. The reason has to do with safety as a number of blinds are designed in a manner that can lead to strangulation of children.

The recall really starts with a tragic event in 2002. Cheyenne Rose Kaiser died when she became tangled in the lines of a set of blinds and was strangled. Her mother, Linda Kaiser, started the Parents for Window Blind Safety movement. As the movement gained steam, more and more parents came forward with tales of near tragedy and 8 deaths that did occur. Eventually, the industry and government could not avoid the issue.


The Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered the recall. The blinds in question are Roman and all roll up blinds. Roughly eight million Roman and roll up blinds are sold every year, so we are talking about a huge recall by any definition. Nonetheless, there is little doubt that the blinds have a design defect that makes them very dangerous to children who can get caught up in the lines and strangle themselves.

So, what specifically is the problem with these blinds? Roman blinds can lead to tragedy in two ways. The first is when a child places his head through the gap between the inner cord and fabric of the blind. The second is when the child pulls the string out and wraps it around their neck when playing. As for roll up blinds, studies have revealed children are drawn to the string lifting loop on the edge of the blind and stick their heads through it. When they can't get out, they panic and pull the string which chokes them.



To resolve these problems, a repair kit is being issued for both types of blinds. The repair kit is free and designed to eliminate the openings on each set of blinds that are so attractive to kids. This being said, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Window Covering Safety Council are urging parents to buy only cordless blinds for their homes. If children are present, the presence of hanging cords on blinds will always entail some risk.

The window blinds recall is a voluntary action being taken by blinds manufacturers. Nobody wants such tragedies to occur, so make sure to get the free repair kit if you have Roman or roll up blinds in areas where children can reach them.

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