Near Strangulation of Children Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Louis Hornick & Co. Sold at Ross Stores
CPSC recall 10075 · announced December 15, 2009 · Louis Hornick & Co · 6,300 units affected
The product
This recall includes all sizes and colors of Newport Energy Solution Roman Shades sold by Ross Stores with exposed inner cords on the back. On the backside of the head rail, a small orange, black and white warning label sticker in English and Spanish which read in part, "Cords and bead chains can loop around child's neck and STRANGLE. Always keep cords ... to get to cords."
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 blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
What to do (per CPSC)
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman shades and contact Louis Hornick & Company to receive a free repair kit.
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): In July 2008, while in his crib, a 20-month-old boy became entangled in the inner cord from a Roman shade. His grandfather responded to the child's cries and removed the cord that left a red mark on the right side of his neck. In April 2009, the mother of a 3-year-old boy found her crying son with a cord mark that ran ear to ear on the front of his neck. The boy was able to free himself after becoming entangled in the inner cord. No permanent injuries were sustained in these incidents.
Sold at: Ross Stores nationwide and from March 2009 through October 2009 for between $4 and $10.
Consumer contact: For additional information, contact Louis Hornick & Company at (877) 756-5102 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hornickindustries.com
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.