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Read the press release here.

Government Issues Voluntary Recall on Millions of Roman Shades Because of Child Strangulation Risk

By Nicole Bode | December 15, 2009 11:12am | Updated on December 15, 2009 11:07am
Roman shade like the ones being recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Roman shade like the ones being recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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Flickr/petit hiboux

MANHATTAN — The government is recalling 50 million roll-up window blinds nationwide because of the risk of strangulation to children.

More than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling themselves in window shade cords since 1990, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The Commission recommends parents or anyone with children in the home immediately remove all curtains with cords and either retrofit them with a free kit available from the Window Covering Safety Council, or replace them with new cordless curtains.

In addition, parents should place cribs, beds and other furniture far from the curtains to prevent children from climbing up and becoming entangled in the cords, the government said.

Baby doll's head is entangled in Roman shade cord in public safety alert to demonstrate the risks unsecured window curtain cords pose to children.
Baby doll's head is entangled in Roman shade cord in public safety alert to demonstrate the risks unsecured window curtain cords pose to children.
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Consumer Product Safety Commission

The blinds, draperies and other window coverings can become a danger to children if the cord slides off the cloth backing and creates a deadly loop that could snag a child’s neck, industry experts said.

Among the local retailers who are participating in the recall are Pottery Barn, Wal-Mart and JCPenney.