CPSC Recalls Matchstick Roll-Up Shades Due to Strangulation Risk
International Merchandise is recalling Deluxe Matchstick Roll-Up Shades sold at Big Lots due to a risk of strangulation for children. No injuries have been reported.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (strangulation) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria in the rubric.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling Deluxe Matchstick Roll-Up Shades manufactured by International Merchandise of Columbus, Ohio. The recall involves shades with widths of 24, 36, 48, and 72 inches by 72 inches long in a "natural" color. These shades feature bamboo head and bottom rails and are suspended by two cord loops known as lifting loops or inner cords. The inner cords are attached to the head rail, pass through a cord lock, and end in a looped cord used to raise and lower the shade. A warning label near the bottom advises that young children can become entangled and strangle in cord or bead loops.
The recall is prompted by the risk of strangulation. Strangulations 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 their neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material. Additionally, children can become entangled in the looped pull cord. The source text states that no incidents or injuries have been reported.
About 355,000 units were sold exclusively at Big Lots nationwide from January 2009 through June 2009 for between $5 and $12. Consumers should immediately stop using the roll-up shades and contact the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 or visit www.windowcoverings.org for a free repair kit.
The recalled product
- Product
- Deluxe Matchstick Roll-up Shades
- Manufacturer
- International Merchandise of Columbus, Ohio
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 355,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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