The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection alerts consumers to a recall of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds sold exclusively at IKEA, and recall for repair of Insulated Black-Out Roller Shades and Insulated Roman Shades by Green Mountain Vista, in response to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s voluntary recall of these products, due to a strangulation death of a child and near strangulation of another child. Consumer Protection Inspectors are in the field, visiting retail establishments, looking for any of these recalled blinds.
*IRIS AND ALVINE Roman Blinds, manufactured in India, sold exclusively at IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008, for approximately $7.00 to $30.00. The recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in white. They are made from 100% cotton and have a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label on the bottom edge of the blind. This product also has a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), 5 digit supplier number 19799 or 21369, four digit date stamp and the words “Made in India.” A one-year old Connecticut girl became entangled in the inner cord of this blind and strangled in April 2008. This hazard occurs when a child places his/her neck in an exposed inner cord of the backside of the roman blinds. Consumers should return this product to any IKEA store to obtain a full refund. IKEA has certified that they have properly disposed of the blinds that existed in their New Haven store. For additional information, please contact IKEA toll free at (888) 966-4532 or visit their website at www.ikea-usa.com .
*Insulated Black-Out Roller Shades and Insulated Roman Shades, manufactured in China for Green Mountain Vista Inc., of Williston, Vermont, were sold nationwide at a variety of retail establishments such as Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, Ann & Hope, The Linen Source, The Sportsman’s Guide, Target.com., The Curtain Shop of Maine, and Solutions Catalog, from June 2005 through September 2008, for approximately $60.00 to $200.00. The recall for repair includes all insulated black-out roller shades sold in colors: cream, white, harvest, and light sage. It also includes insulated Roman shades sizes 48, 60 and 72, sold in colors: white, natural, sienna, sage, blue, goldenrod, mahogany, and 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.” A near strangulation almost occurred with this product in June 2008 to a 2 year old girl from Bristol, Connecticut. Consumers should contact Green Mountain Vista Inc., to receive a free repair kit. For additional information, please call Green Mountain Vista toll free at (800) 639-1728 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.gmvista.com .
Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. strongly recommends that consumers check their homes for the above mentioned blinds, if found, immediately cease using and contact the appropriate company for a refund and/or repair kit. The blinds are an extreme hazard to young children, unfortunately already resulting in the death of one child and the near death of another.
