The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·13707·Announced 2012-11-21

Hunter Douglas Recalls Custom Cellular and Pleated Window Coverings for Strangulation Hazard

Hunter Douglas is recalling about 4,400 custom cellular and pleated window coverings because a knot in the cord stop may prevent it from breaking away, creating a strangulation risk for children.

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 strangulation hazard, which is a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.

Plain-English summary

Hunter Douglas Fabrication Co. is recalling approximately 4,400 custom-made cellular and pleated window coverings sold nationwide from January 2011 through August 2012. The affected products include standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Duette and Applause honeycomb shades, standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Hunter Douglas pleated shades, Hunter Douglas Brilliance Privacy View pleated shades, and standard cordlock Duette and Applause Duolite shades. These shades feature a breakaway cord stop, a plastic device that attaches two cords to a single adjustment cord.

The recall is due to a manufacturing defect where the cords inside the breakaway cord stop were tied in a single knot. This knot can prevent the cord stop from functioning as designed to break away if pulled. If the cord stop does not break away, a child can become entangled in the cord loop and strangle. The CPSC reports that no injuries have been associated with this recall.

Consumers should check their window coverings to see if the cords inside the breakaway cord stop are tied in a single knot. If a knot is found, consumers should stop using the window coverings immediately and contact Hunter Douglas for a free repair kit with instructions on untying the knot. Hunter Douglas is also contacting consumers directly to provide repair kits. For additional information, consumers can contact Hunter Douglas at (800) 997-2389 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company's website.

The recalled product

Product
Standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Duette and Applause honeycomb shades; standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Hunter Douglas pleated shades; Hunter Douglas Brilliance Privacy View pleated shades and standard cordlock Duette and Applause Duolite shades
Manufacturer
Hunter Douglas Fabrication Co., of West Sacramento, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Window Coverings
Hazard
Affected units
4,400

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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