Lowe's Recalls 11 million blind after near strangulation incidents

Lowe's Cos., the second largest U.S. retailer home improvement, recalled 11000000 Roman shades and roller blinds after reports of two almost chokes, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The CPSC said that Lowe's, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, recall all brands it sells two types of window coverings, with a total of 6 million and 5 million Roman shades roll up blinds. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately and get the free repair kits, he said.

Lowe's joins a retreat organized by the CPSC in December 2009 that covered more than 50 million Roman and roller blinds, also because of the dangers of strangulation, the agency said. That recall, one of the largest in the CPSC, covered all products sold in stores like Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Williams-Sonoma Inc. 's Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware outlets Inc.

Strangulation can occur when a child plays with the loose strings, wrapping them around his neck, the agency said. Roman shades, which are made from the bottom in a series of folds, has an indoor cable at the back that is dangerous, the agency said. Rolling shutters have a lifting cycle that can be dropped.

Roman blinds recalled today are sold at Lowe's and the website of the company from 1999 to June, the CPSC said. The shutters were sold from 1999 to January 2005. Covers sold for between $ 10 and $ 1,800.

Injuries reported

In July, a 4-year-old in Lexington, South Carolina, suffered rope burns on his neck after becoming entangled in a cable Roman shade, the agency said. One child under 2 years of age in Arvada, Colorado, was found with a cord around his arm and neck in November 2009, he said.

No incidents have been reported with shutters, the CPSC said.

Consumers can get free games for the repair of the Security Council Window Covering calling 1-800-506-4636 or visiting their website, http://www.windowcoverings.org.

U.S. regulators received reports of five dead and 16 almost chokes on Roman shades since 2006 and three deaths involving roller shutters since 2001, CPSC said in December.