November 20, 2008: Green Mountain Vista Window Shades Recall

Recall Reason

Two styles and multiple colors of these shades were recalled. The image here represents just one.

According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Green Mountain Vista Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 7,300 of its blackout roller shades and insulated Roman shades after learnign that a two-year-old girl from Bristol, Connecticut, was nearly strangled when she placed a loose bead cord loop around her neck and then slipped off the radiator where she was standing.

The CPSC reports that her five-year-old brother lifted his sister, who was gasping for air, from the cord entanglement. She vomited and had deep neck bruising, but has since recovered from her injuries.

In light of this and other recent cord-related accidents, the CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the backs of blinds or shades in your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. Read more about blind cord safety here.

Do You Own These Shades?

Click here to read the official release.

This recall includes all insulated blackout roller shades (colors: white, cream, harvest, light sage) and insulated Roman shades sizes 48, 60, and 72 (colors: white, natural, sage, sienna, blue, goldenrod, mahogany, terracotta). The shades have RN number 107875 printed on the care label of the shade and identify the manufacturer on the "Installation and Care Instructions." They were manufactured in China.

The shades were sold at Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, The Linen Source, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, Ann & Hope, The Sportsman's Guide, Target.com, The Curtain Shop of Maine, and Solutions Catalog nationwide from June 2005 through September 2008 for between $60 and $200.

Whom to Contact

Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached. If it is not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Green Mountain Vista Inc. at 1-800-639-1728 between 8 AM and 4 PM ET Monday through Friday to receive a free repair kit or visit the firm's website at www.gmvista.com.

If you are not able to install the tensioning device, contact Green Mountain Vista for further instructions.