News Moms Need

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling over 3 million Ikea blinds because they pose a strangulation risk to children. Three kinds of Ikea blinds are being recalled including roller, roll-up and Roman blinds. The blinds were sold at Ikea stores nationwide from January 1998 through June 2009 for between $5 and $55.

The CPSC asks that consumers immediately stop using all Roman and roll-up blinds. The organization also urges consumers to stop using roller blinds that don’t have a tension device (which is attached to the bead chain) installed into the wall or floor. If you have difficulty installing the tension device on the roller blinds, contact IKEA at (888) 966-4532 or visit www.ikea-usa.com. The recalled blinds can be returned to any IKEA store for a full refund.

For more information, visit the CPSC Web site.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling millions of Roman blinds and roll-up shades because they pose a risk of strangulation in small children. The blinds were sold between January 1998 and October 2009 in a wide range of stores across the country including Walmart, Pottery Barn, J.C. Penny, Ace Hardware, Big Lots and other specialty window covering dealers. Consumers should stop using these shades and blinds immediately. If you have Roman or roll-up shades, contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org.

To help prevent child strangulation in window coverings, the CPSC and WCSC urge parents and caregivers to follow these guidelines:

• Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. The CPSC and WCSC recommend the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

• Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.

• Make loose cords inaccessible.

• If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

Visit the CPSC Web site for more information about the recalls affecting specific window blinds and shades. Get more safety tips for baby.