50 Million Blinds Recalled as Strangulation Hazard
On December 15, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the window covering industry recalled more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because of the risk children may be strangled by the cords.
According to an article by the Associated Press, the CPSC said five deaths and 16 near-strangulations from Roman shades have been reported since 2006, while three deaths connected to roll-up blinds have been reported since 2001.
Roman shades can become dangerous if a child’s neck gets stuck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind, or if the cord gets wrapped around a child’s neck.
Roll-up blinds pose a strangulation threat if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on it, or if a child’s neck gets between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
The CPSC urged parents to examine all shades and blinds in the home and make sure they have no accessible cords. Cribs, beds or other furniture should not be placed close to windows because children can climb on the furniture and reach the cords.
As a consumer, you have the right to assume that products you purchase or use have been produced in a manner that would ensure that they are safe and free from unreasonable risks. If a company manufactures a product that is hazardous to the user, the company must be held liable for any injuries or fatalities that occurred due to the faulty product.
If you have a defective product claim, such as an injury due to blinds/shades, you will require the representation of a Philadelphia Pennsylvania products liability attorney from Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP to handle all of the complexities involved with this type of case. There are many steps to a product liability case, beginning with proving that the product was in fact defective, next proving the product was the cause of the injury, and finally proving that the product was not used unreasonably. Please contact the firm to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional.
Source article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVWDGoVWjtsDGlZBOw1jbBD0hW4gD9CJOJR80
