CPSC Recalls Window Blinds with Cords Due to Strangulation Risk

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the window covering industry have announced a recall for window blinds with pull cords and inner cords. These products pose a strangulation hazard because the cords can form loops. Since 1991, CPSC has received reports of 130 strangulations involving cords on window blinds, with 114 involving outer pull cords and 16 involving inner cords.

The recall affects millions of window blinds, with approximately 85 million sold each year. Window blinds sold since 1995 no longer have pull cords ending in loops, and newly manufactured blinds include attachments to prevent inner cords from forming loops if pulled by a young child. However, existing blinds in homes may still have hazardous cord configurations.

Consumers with window blinds with cords should call the Window Covering Safety Council to receive a free repair kit for each set of blinds. The kit includes plastic attachments to prevent inner cords from being pulled loose and safety tassels for pre-1995 blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops. Consumers should cut loops and install safety tassels. For vertical blinds, draperies, or pleated shades with continuous loop cords, consumers should request special tie-downs. Parents should keep cords and chains out of children's reach and never place cribs within reach of window blinds.

The recalled product

Product

Window blinds with pull cords and inner cords

Category

Consumer Product — Window Coverings

Hazard

• strangulation

Affected units

85

Distribution

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