Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall To Repair Window Blinds By Vertical Land
Recalled August 26, 2009 · CPSC recall 09329 · Strangulation Death
Hazard
Horizontal Blinds: The blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. If an inner cord is pulled out, a child can become entangled in the loop and strangle. Vertical Blinds: Strangulations can occur if a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop formed by the bead chain or by the cord with a weighted device. Cellular Shades: Strangulations can occur if a child's neck becomes entangled on the shade's free-standing looped cord.
Remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Vertical Land to receive a free retrofit kit.
Units
About 15,400 (horizontal), 16,400 (vertical), 800 (cellular shades)
Incidents / injuries
In May 2006, CPSC received a report of a 4-year-old girl from Pensacola, Fla., who strangled in the loop of a vertical blind cord that was not attached to the wall or floor.
Description
This recall involves all Vertical Land custom-made vertical and cellular window coverings that do not have a cord tensioning device and horizontal blinds that do not have inner cord stop devices. A sticker identification label can be found on the head rail of some of the window coverings which lists the company's name, address and telephone number.
What to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Vertical Land to receive a free retrofit kit.
Contact
For additional information, contact Vertical Land at (800) 423-8653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
Product
Horizontal and Vertical Blinds and Cellular Shades
Manufacturer(s)
Vertical Land Inc., of Panama City Beach, Fla.
Retailers
Vertical Land stores in Panama City and Pensacola, Fla. from January 1992 through December 2006 for between $60 and $200 (depending on the size of the blind).
Made in
United States
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Official recall notice on cpsc.gov →