IKEA Recalls Roller, Roman, and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Strangulation Risk

Plain-English summary

IKEA is recalling approximately 3,360,000 roller, Roman, and roll-up blinds sold at IKEA stores nationwide from January 1998 through June 2009. The recall includes roller blinds that do not have a tension device attached to the bead chain, all Roman blinds, and all roll-up blinds. The products were sold for between $5 and $55.

The recall is due to the risk of strangulation. For roller blinds, strangulation can occur if the looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or floor with the provided tension device and a child's neck becomes entangled. For Roman blinds, hazards include a child placing their neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric, or pulling the cord out and wrapping it around their neck. For roll-up blinds, strangulation can occur if lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled, or if a child places their neck between the lifting loop and the blind material.

CPSC and IKEA received reports of injuries related to Roman blinds, including a near-strangulation of a 1.5-year-old boy in Massachusetts in February 2010 and the strangulation of a 1-year-old girl in Connecticut in April 2008. No incidents were reported for roller or roll-up blinds. Consumers should immediately stop using the affected blinds and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.

The recalled product

Product

Roller, Roman, and Roll-Up blinds

Category

Consumer Product — Window Coverings

Hazard

• strangulation

Affected units

3,360,000

Distribution

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