FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2010 Release #10-156 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 339-9398 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 |
Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen has added its name to the retailers joining the voluntary recall announced in December 2009 of ALL Roman shades and roll-up blinds.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Roman Shades
Units: About 163,000
Wholesaler: Ethan Allen Global Inc., of Danbury, Conn.
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. Also, strangulation can occur when a child's neck become entangled on the free-standing loop.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves all styles and sizes of Roman shades sold under the Ethan Allen brand name. These custom-ordered, made-to-order shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. The shades have no labels or markings making reference to the Ethan Allen brand.
Sold at: Ethan Allen Design Centers since at least 1999 through December 2009. Most are priced between $400 and $1,000.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled Roman shades immediately and contact their local Ethan Allen Design Center for a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ethan Allen toll-free at (888) 339-9398 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, contact the local Ethan Allen Design Center, or visit the firm's web site at www.ethanallen.com



Note: Examine all shades and blinds in your home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. CPSC recommends the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.