Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced another voluntary recall of window blinds that may be unsafe to use, especially in homes or other areas where children can be found. The blinds were distributed by Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland California and sold in Cost Plus and World Market stores from February 2006 to August 2008.

The recall was announced after the CPSC found looped pull cords and exposed inner cords on the back of some models of the Roman blinds.

Some models of roll-up blinds also had looped pull cords, as well as two cord loops that that serve to raise the blind. These loop cords run down the length of the blind and under the rail of it.

Looped and exposed cords commonly play a role in seriously injuring or strangling children who become entangled in them. Although no incidents have been tied directly to these particular blinds, the CPSC has become aware of three recent deaths of children becoming entangled in the cords of some currently unidentified blinds. One child was strangled by the lifting cord of a roll-up style blind and the other two suffocated after becoming entangled in the exposed inner cords of Roman-style shades.

The recalled shades include the “Canvass Roman Shade,” the “Sari Roman Shade,” and the “Buddha” and “Floral” Matchstick blinds. Customers who think that they may have one or more of the recalled blinds should stop using them immediately. Model numbers, SKU numbers, and pictures can be found on the CPSC website. Recalled blinds may be returned to any Cost Plus or World Market store for a full refund.

Additional information can be found by going to the merchant’s website at www.worldmarket.com or by calling toll-free 877-967-5362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am and is filed under recalled products, safety. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.