After receiving a report that a 1-1/2 year old child nearly strangled to death on a loose cord, Ikea — along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada — has issued a recall on all Roman and Roll-up blinds, as well as roller blinds that do not have a tension device attached to the bead chain, sold between Jan. 1998 and June 2009.

According to the CPSC, here are the potential hazards:
Roller Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the blind’s looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor with the tension device provided and a child’s neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop.

Roman Blinds: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. An additional hazard exists when the Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that if not attached to the wall or floor, which poses a strangulation hazard to children.

Roll-up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

For detailed photos of the recalled products, go to the CPSC’s recall page.

The CPSC says anyone in possession of recalled blinds should stop using them immediately. All Roman and roll-up blinds can be returned to Ikea for a full refund. If you own the recalled roller blinds, make sure the tension device is installed properly into the wall or floor.

For more info, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime.
Or go to Ikea.com

IKEA Recalls Roller Blinds, all Roman Blinds and all Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation [CPSC]

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