Recall: Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Draper Inc.

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Draper Inc.

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.

Name of Product: Roman Shades

Units: About 1,800

Manufacturer: Draper Inc., of Spiceland, Ind.

Hazard: These shades have an exposed operating cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. 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. In addition, these shades have a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the shade, posing a strangulation hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves two models of Roman FlexShades – Roman-CL (clutch/manually operated by a bead-chain) and Roman-MO (motorized). They come in a variety of colors and fabric types and are custom sized/made to order. The shade has a wooden head rail and a 9” valance and four (or more) horizontal plastic stacking bars that are placed about 15 inches apart along the length of the fabric; each bar contains two plastic rings.

Sold at: Specialty window covering dealers nationwide from March 2000 through September 2009 for between $450 and $2,100.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and call Draper for a free retrofit kit that removes both the operating cords and the exposed inner cords from the shades.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Draper toll-free at (877) 315- 7037 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.draperinc.com and click on the “Roman Shade Recall” button.

Note: 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.