Lowe's Recalls 11 Million Shades, Blinds

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Action Follows 2009 Recall of 52 Million Shades/Blinds by Other Firms

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Dec. 1, 2010 -- Lowe's has recalled 11 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds after two children nearly strangled in the products' loose cords.

The action comes one year after other firms recalled 52 million similar products. Spurring that recall were reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations in Roman shades since 2006 and three deaths in roll-up blinds since 2001.

The danger:

• Roman shades: A child may strangle if his or her neck gets caught between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the back of the blind -- or when a child simply wraps the cord around his or her neck.
• Roll-up blinds: If the lifting loop slides off the blind, a child's neck can get caught in the free-standing loop. Children may also place their necks between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

The Lowe's recall includes about 6 million Roman shades and about 5 million roll-up blinds. It includes all styles and sizes of these products. The recall does not include Roman shades with repair kits and roll-up blinds with release clips below the head rail on the back side of the blind.

Consumers should stop using the recalled shades and blinds and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for free repair kits at 800-506-4636 any time or at the windowcoverings.org web site.

SOURCES: News releases, Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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