What do these recalls mean? A closer look.
Many of you might wonder what these recalls really mean. Let’s take a closer look at each one, what it entails.
Lewis Hyman Recall: Retailer is Target
Remedy: Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using it immediately and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit. Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit. The repair kits for the Roman shades will be available by the end of September.
These free repair kits have not been tested by PFWBS. We plan to test them. These safety kits are to be installed by the consumer. PFWBS believes by a first glance that these “repair” kits does NOT eliminate all the strangulation hazards from the product. We will buy these, test them and post our findings.
Victoria Classic Roman Shades: Retailer is Target
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled roman shades and contact Victoria Classics to receive a free repair kit. They allow the consumer to remove ALL cords from the roman shades making the shade cordless! KUDOS to Victoria Classic Roman Shades! That is a recall we at PFWBS can live with!
Pottery Barn Roman Shades
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled roman shades and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a merchandise card for the purchase value. This is great! Customers get their money back. This is another recall PFWBS can live with!
Lutron Shading Solutions Roller Shades: Retailer is Design Expo
Remedy: Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached to the cord and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Lutron Electronics to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer has difficulty installing the tension device, contact Lutron for further instructions.
Question about this recall. What happens if a child pulls the tension device out of the wall without the parents knowledge? This has happened and a child was killed because of it. We have not tested this repair kit, so at this time, it is not recommended in home with children due to the chance of the loop becoming loose from the wall or from the frame.
Vertical Land: Retailer is Vertical Land in Pensacola FL.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Vertical Land to receive a free retrofit kit.
This recall is for 2 window covering that have a loop for a pull cord that you pull on to open and close the shade. There should be a tie down or tension device on this shade. Even though this could help make the product safer, there is still no guarantee that the repair kit would hold up if a child pulls it out of the wall. We don’t recommend these repair kits. We recommend calling the company for a FULL refund because of the dangers it poses. Another recall by Vertical Land is a typical Faux window blind with 2 sets of pull cords. Apparently there are no inner cord stoppers on these window blinds which causes a loop to be pulled out in any area of the product. Inner cord stoppers won’t prevent all strangulation. With window blinds like these, children can still strangled on the pull cords if they get tangled together. Children can strangle with one cord wrapped around their neck. Children can strangle by reverse inner cord with an inner cord stopper attached. That is 3 MORE ways a child can strangle to death on this product. We recommend removing the product and calling the company for a refund.
Melina Roman Shades: Retailer IKEA
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman blinds and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.
Another KUDOS to IKEA. This is the kind of recall we like to see. Give the customers their money back so they have the choice to buy something safer without cords! This is IKEA’s second recall this past year on roman shades.
Recalls in a nutshell
These recalls should make a BIG statement to you. First of all, corded roman shades, roll up shades and window blinds kill children and will continue to kill children as long as they are in homes. Just because YOUR roman shade, roll up shade, or window blind was NOT included in the recall does NOT MEAN it is safe! It just means a child has not died on it yet or been injured. Why take the chance? Take down your corded window covering and ask the store for a refund. Show them how dangerous it is. You just might get your money back or store credit and be able to buy something safer, without cords.