Window shades

CPSC Recall #16-705 — November 3, 2015

Recall Summary

Recall Number16-705
Recall DateNovember 3, 2015
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 55,500
ImporterCarra Imports LLC, of Middleton, Wis. and Carra USA Inc., of Jamaica, N.Y.
Manufactured InTurkey

Where It Was Sold

Online and by phone orders at Blinds.com
Blinds Century (aka American Blinds)
Blinds Wholesale
HomeCraft
Home Depot
JustBlinds.com
Nobrainer Blinds
Office Depot
Rugs Direct BFC
Steve's Blinds
Wayfair and Window World Blinds for between $35 and $775. The cellular shades were sold from August 2014 through February 2015. The roller shades were sold from September 2010 through September 2013. The soft horizontal shades were sold from July 2010 through March 2012. The Roman shades were sold from September 2010 through July 2013.

Product

Window shades

Description

Children can strangle  on the window shades' cords/loop when not attached to the wall and on the Roman shades' exposed inner cord.   Note: In homes where children live or visit, examine all shades and blinds to make sure there are not accessible cords on the front, side or back of the product. CPSC recommends the use of cordless window coverings in these homes.

Hazard

Cellular, Roller and Soft Horizontal Shades: Strangulation can occur when the shade's continuous loop pull cord or bead chain is not attached to the wall with a tension device and a child's neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop. Roman Shades: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled window shades and contact Carra for a free repair kit.  If the recalled cellular, roller and soft horizontal shades do not have hold down devices installed, contact Carra Imports to receive a repair kit which includes a hold down device and instructions to install it. The repair kit for the Roman shades includes instructions to remove the pull cords and to install metal rings to raise and lower the shades to remove the hazard. Carra is directly contacting consumers who purchased the recalled window shades.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.