Roller Shades

CPSC Recall #09-328 — August 25, 2009

Recall Summary

Recall Number09-328
Recall DateAugust 25, 2009
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 245,000
ManufacturerVirginia Iron and Metal Company Inc. (VIMCO), of Ashland, Va.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

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

Product

Roller Shades

Description

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.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.

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.

Remedy Instructions

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.

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.