On March 2, 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Lutron Electronics issued a voluntary recall of Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades for about 5,000 products that were distributed through the Coopersburg, PA Company, because there is a risk of strangulation. The blinds were manufactured in Virginia by VIMCO – Virginia Iron and Metal Company.

For more information contact Lutron’s Recall Hotline: (866) 793-4270 or check their website www.lutron.com/CERUSromans.

There are several other retailers who have participated in this voluntary recall of Roman shades and roll-up blinds beginning in December 2009. The recall involves all custom ordered motorized and manual Lutron Shading Solutions Roman shades. Almost all these shades were professionally installed. If you suspect that your shades were involved in this recall, check the box for “Lutron Shading Solutions” or “Lutron Shading Solutions by VIMCO”. These shades were sold between January 2000 and August 2009 by Expo Design Centers and dealers.

The risk of strangulation occurs if a child puts his neck between the cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or pulls the cord out and wraps it around his neck. Strangulation can also occur if the shade’s chain is not attached to the wall or floor, and the child puts his neck into the chain’s loop. There have not been any injuries reported in connection with this recall.

If you own the automatic Roman shades you should immediately stop using them and contact Lutron Electronics to have them removed, repaired and reinstalled. If you own the manual Roman shades check to make sure the tension device is attached to the looped operating cord and attached to the wall or floor. If it is not, contact Lutron Electronics to obtain a free repair kit, and mount the device into the wall or floor. Lutron is available to help you through this process.

Even if you do not have these shades, it is a good idea for home owners to check all their shades and blinds to ensure that there are no easily reached cords. If you child has been involved in a strangulation accident, contact a Philadelphia Injury Lawyer for a free case assessment.

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