Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roller Shades by Lutron Shading Solutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Roller Shades

Units: About 245,000

Distributor: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

Manufacturer: Virginia Iron and Metal Company Inc. (VIMCO), of Ashland, Va.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur if the shade’s looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves custom-ordered made-to-measure manual roller shades. The shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. They have a label on an adhesive strip that connects the shade fabric to the roller tube that reads “Lutron Shading Solutions” and “800-446-1503.” The shade needs to be removed from the brackets and unrolled completely to access the label. The shade was sold with an orange, black and white hang tag warning consumers that “young children can STRANGLE in cord and bead chain loops.” However, the hang tag may have been discarded upon installation. Nearly all shades were professionally installed.

Sold at: Specialty dealers and Expo Design Centers nationwide from January 2000 through April 2009 for between $200 and $2000 per shade.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached to the cord and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Lutron Electronics to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer has difficulty installing the tensioning device, contact Lutron for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lutron at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lutron.com/cordedshades

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall. This is in "streaming video" format.