July 22, 2010: Recall of Roman and Roller Shades by Smith+Noble

Recall Reason

Many styles of the shades are included in this recall. Image here represents just one.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Smith+Noble, of Corona, California, has recalled about 1.3 million (1,160,000 Roman shades and 115,000 roller shades) Roman and roller shades due to near strangulation.

Roman Shades: Strangulations 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. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Roller Shades: Strangulation can occur if the shade's continuous loop cord is not attached to the wall with the tension device provided and a child's neck becomes entangled in the free-standing loop. CPSC and Smith+Noble have received a report of a 5-year-old boy in Tacoma, Washington, who became entangled in an unsecured continuous loop bead cord on a roller shade in May 2009. No medical treatment was required.

Do You Own This Product?

Click here to see the official recall.

This recall involves all roller shades that do not have a tension device attached to the continuous loop cord and all custom, made-to-order Roman shades. Brand names include Smith+Noble, Christopher Lowell by Smith+Noble, Jessitt Gold, Shop Blinds, and Window Elements.

The shades sold exclusively at Smith+Noble online at www.smithandnoble.com and through catalog sales nationwide from 1998 through April 2010 for between $100 and $1,600, depending on custom size and options.

The shades were manufactured in China, Mexico, and the United States.

Whom to Contact

Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org. Consumers should check the roller shades to make sure the tension device provided is attached to the continuous loop cord and installed into the wall. If not attached, consumers should attach the tension device securely to the wall. If they no longer have the tension device, consumers should immediately stop using the roller shades and contact WCSC to receive a free replacement tension device.

For additional information, contact Smith+Noble toll-free at (877) 228-7683 between 6 AM and 6 PM PST, Monday through Friday, and between 7 AM and 4 PM PST, Saturday and Sunday, or visit the firm's website at www.smithandnoble.com.

Note from CPSC

Examine all shades and blinds in your home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. CPSC recommends the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.