Standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Duette and Applause honeycomb shades; standard cordlock top-...

CPSC Recall #13-707 - November 20, 2012

Recall Summary

Recall Number13-707
Recall DateNovember 20, 2012
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 4,400 shades
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Hunter Douglas dealers nationwide from January 2011 through August 2012. Custom shade prices vary widely based on size
style and dealer. Retail prices for these recalled shades range from $240 up.

Product

Standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Duette and Applause honeycomb shades; standard cordlock top-down/bottom-up Hunter Douglas pleated shades; Hunter Douglas Brilliance Privacy View pleated shades and standard cordlock Duette and Applause Duolite shade

Description

Some breakaway cords stops have a single knot, preventing the cord stop from breaking away. A child can become entangled in the cord loop and strangle.

Hazard

Some of the cords inside the breakaway cord stop were tied in a single knot which can prevent the cord stop from functioning as designed to break away. A child can become entangled in a cord loop and strangle.

Incidents & Injuries

None

Remedy Instructions

CPSC urges consumers to check their window coverings to see if the cords inside the breakaway cord stop are tied in a single knot. The breakaway cord stop is the plastic device that attaches two cords from the end of the blind to a single cord used to adjust the blind. Blinds have adjustment cords on both ends of the head rail with a cord stop on each. If there is a knot in the two cords inside the cord stop, stop using these window coverings and contact Hunter Douglas for a free repair kit with instructions on untying the knot. Hunter Douglas will also be contacting consumers to provide repair kits.

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.