IKEA Recalls Window Blinds After One Child Strangled; Another Injured

Green Mountain Vista and IKEA, in cooperation with the U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has announced a recall of 700,000 window blinds and shades in the U.S. on Thursday, after a young child choked to death.

A 1-year-old girl from Greenwich, Connecticut, died in April when she became entangled in the inner-cord of a set of IKEA Roman Blinds that were hanging over her playpen, according to the CPSC.

In June, the agency received another report of a 2-year-old girl in Bristol, Connecticut, who suffered a near strangulation when she placed the beaded-chain loop from a set of Green Mountain Vista Shades around her neck and then slipped.

Her five-year-old brother found her gasping for air and was able to untangle her. She suffered deep neck bruising but is otherwise okay.

Included in the recall are:

IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds distributed nationwide by IKEA Home Furnishings have been recalled due to exposed inner cords that present a strangulation hazard to young children. More than 4 million blinds were also sold outside the United States.

Consumers can return the blinds to any IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Information: Call IKEA toll-free at: (888) 966-4532.

Also included in the recall are insulated blackout roller shades and insulated Roman shades (in all colors and sizes) by Green Mountain Vista Inc. The shades were sold nationwide by Ann & Hope, Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, The Linen Source, The Curtain Shop of Maine, Target.com and the Solutions catalog.

Green Mountain Vista shade owners are advised to check to see if the tension device is attached. If the device is not present, consumers can contact the company for installation instructions and a free repair kit.

Consumer Information: To contact Green Mountain Vista shades, call 800-639- 1728.

A Safety Reminder from the CPSC: Consumers should examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.