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Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall To Repair Window Blinds By Vertical Land

  • Recalled Horizontal Window Blind
  • Recalled Horizontal Window Blind Showing Cord
  • Recalled Vertical Window Blind
  • Recalled Vertical Window Blind Showing Cord
  • Recalled Vertical Roller Shade Showing Label
  • Recalled Cellular Shade
  • Recalled Cellular Shade Showing Cord
Name of Product:
Horizontal and Vertical Blinds and Cellular Shades
Hazard:

Horizontal Blinds: The blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. If an inner cord is pulled out, a child can become entangled in the loop and strangle.

Remedy:
Replace
Recall Date:
August 26, 2009
Units:

About 15,400 (horizontal), 16,400 (vertical), 800 (Cellular Shades)

Consumer Contact

For additional information, contact Vertical Land at (800) 423-8653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Recall Details

Description:

This recall involves all Vertical Land custom-made vertical and cellular window coverings that do not have a cord tensioning device and horizontal blinds that do not have inner cord stop devices. A sticker identification label can be found on the head rail of some of the window coverings which lists the company's name, address and telephone number.

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Vertical Land to receive a free retrofit kit.

Incidents/Injuries:

In May 2006, CPSC received a report of a 4-year-old girl from Pensacola, Fla., who strangled in the loop of a vertical blind cord that was not attached to the wall or floor.

Sold At:
Vertical Land stores in Panama City and Pensacola, Fla. from January 1992 through December 2006 for between $60 and $200 (depending on the size of the blind).
Manufacturer(s):
Vertical Land Inc., of Panama City Beach, Fla.
Manufactured In:
United States
Recall number:
09-329

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. 

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