Additional Retail Sales Prompt CPSC and Meijer to Re-announce Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds Recall; Strangulation Hazard Posed

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: “Innovations” and “At Home with Meijer” Roman shades and roll-up blinds

Units: About 3,200 units (240,000 originally recalled in March 2010)

Importer/Retailer: Meijer, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Manufacturer: Whole Space Industries LTD, of Centereach, N.Y.

Hazard:

Roman Shades - 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.

Roll-up Blinds - Strangulation can occur if the lifting loops slide 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.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves previously recalled “Innovations” and "At Home with Meijer" Roman shades and roll-up blinds that were redistributed to stores and sold to consumers after March 2010 without a repair kit. The Roman shades are made with fabric or bamboo and the roll-up blinds with bamboo. A label reading "Innovation" or "At Home with Meijer" can be found under the headrail.

Sold at: Discount retailers, dollar stores, flea markets and other retail liquidators nationwide from March 2010 through September 2011 at various prices. Originally the products were sold at Meijer stores between January 2004 and December 2009 for about $40 before being recalled.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and the roll-up blinds and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org. Consumers can also return the products to any Meijer store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information about this recall, contact Meijer at (800) 927-8699 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company’s website at www.meijer.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.

Roman Shade                                                                       Hazard

Roman Shade                                                                                 Hazard

Roll-Up Blind                                                                                                 Hazard