FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2010
Release # 10-149 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 793-4270
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 |
Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by Lutron Electronics
Lutron Electronics 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: Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades
Units: About 5,000
Distributor: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.
Manufacturer: Virginia Iron and Metal Company Inc. (VIMCO), of Ashland, Va.
Hazard: Strangulations 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. Also, in manual Roman shades, strangulations can also occur if the shade's looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or to the floor and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves all custom-ordered made-to-measure motorized and manual Lutron Shading Solutions Roman shades. The shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. Nearly all shades were professionally installed. "Lutron Shading Solutions" or "Lutron Shading Solutions by VIMCO" is printed on the packaging.
Sold at: Specialty dealers and Expo Design Centers nationwide from January 2000 through August 2009 for between $120 and $4,500 per shade.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Lutron Electronics to coordinate the removal, repair, and reinstallation of the shades. Consumers with manual Roman shades should also immediately check if the tension device is attached to the looped operating cord and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, consumers should contact Lutron Electronics to receive a free repair kit. If the tension device is attached but not installed, consumers should immediately install the device into the wall or floor. If the consumer has difficulty installing the tension device, contact Lutron for further instructions.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lutron toll-free at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.lutron.com
Rear view of motorized Roman shade
Front view of manual Roman shade
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.