CPSC Recall in 2009: Strangulation Deaths of Children Prompt Recall to Repair of Roll-Up Blinds and Roman Shades by Lewis Hyman Inc.

Updated on March 25, 2026.

See the recall details below. You can also see similar information for other consumer product recalls in 2009.

Data Source: CPSC.

Recall Number: 09-324

Date: August 25, 2009

Product Name: Oval Roll-up Blinds and Woolrich Roman Shades

Recall Description:

This recall involves roll-up blinds without release clips (see picture below) and all Woolrich Roman shades. The roll-up blinds have plastic oval-shaped slats that measure about 1/4 inch tall. The blinds measure either 72" or 96" long. The bottom rail has a WARNING label advising that "Young children can become entangled and strangle in cord or bead loops" and a label that reads "Lewis Hyman, Inc." and the year of manufacture. Roll-up blinds that have release clips right below the head rail on the backside of the blind are not included in this recall.The Woolrich Roman shades come in twill fabric and micro-suede fabric and measure 72" long. The head rail has two labels that read "Lewis Hyman, Inc., www.lewishymaninc.com" and "LHI, 005301, Made in China" respectively.

Hazard Description:

Roll-up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.Roman Shades: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Consumer Action:

Remedy Type:

Repair

Units: About 4.2 million roll-up blinds and 600,000 Roman shades

Incidents:

In November 2007, a 1-year-old boy from Norridgewock, Maine became entangled and strangled in the lift cord loop of a roll-up blind that had fallen into his portable crib. In October 2008, a 13-month-old boy from Conway, Ark. was found with his head between the exposed inner cord and the cloth on the backside of a Roman shade. The cord was not looped around the boy's neck but rather ran from ear to ear and strangled the child.

Sold At:

The Roman shades were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com from March 2006 through December 2008 for between $25 and $43. The roll-up blinds were sold at retail stores nationwide from January 1999 through December 2003 for between $6 and $20.

Manufactured In:

China