The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·10307·Announced 2010-07-22

Smith+Noble Recalls Roman and Roller Shades Due to Strangulation Risk

Smith+Noble is recalling approximately 1.3 million Roman and roller shades due to strangulation hazards involving exposed cords and unsecured loops.

What this means for you

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 for the specific recalled units, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products without reported injury.

Plain-English summary

Smith+Noble is recalling approximately 1.3 million Roman and roller shades, including 1,160,000 Roman shades and 115,000 roller shades. The recall involves all roller shades that do not have a tension device attached to the continuous loop cord and all custom, made-to-order Roman shades. Brand names include Smith+Noble, Christopher Lowell by Smith+Noble, Jessitt Gold, Shop Blinds, and Window Elements. The products were sold online and through catalog sales nationwide from 1998 through April 2010 for between $100 and $1,600.

The recall is prompted by the risk of strangulation. For Roman shades, strangulation can occur when a child places their neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around their neck. For roller shades, strangulation can occur if the continuous loop cord is not attached to the wall with the provided tension device and a child's neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop. CPSC and Smith+Noble have received a report of a 5-year-old boy in Tacoma, Washington, who became entangled in an unsecured continuous loop bead cord on a roller shade in May 2009; no medical treatment was required. No injuries have been reported for the Roman shades.

Consumers should immediately stop using the affected Roman shades and contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 or visit www.windowcoverings.org. For roller shades, consumers should check to ensure the tension device is attached to the continuous loop cord and installed into the wall. If the tension device is not attached, consumers should attach it securely to the wall. If the tension device is missing, consumers should immediately stop using the roller shades and contact WCSC to receive a free replacement tension device. For additional information, consumers can contact Smith+Noble toll-free at (877) 228-7683 or visit www.smithandnoble.com/productrecallinformation.

The recalled product

Product
Roman and Roller shades
Category
Consumer Product — Window Coverings
Hazard
Affected units
1,160,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · strangulation

See all →