Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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January 13, 2009
Release #09-090

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 967-5362 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall of Window Blinds Sold at Cost Plus and World Market Stores

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Units:

Distributor: Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif.

Hazard:

Roman Shades: These shades have a looped pull cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. Looped pull cords and exposed inner cords on roman shades present a strangulation hazard.

Roll-up Blinds: These blinds have a looped pull cord and two lifting cord loops that run around the bottom rail. Looped pull cords and exposed lifting loops on roll-up blinds present a strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported with the Roman shades and roll-up blinds involved in this recall. However, CPSC is aware of the death of a child who became entangled in the lifting cord of a roll-up style blind whose manufacturer and retailer has not yet been identified and at least two deaths involving exposed inner cords on various styles of roman-style shades.

Description: This recall involves four styles of shades, the "Canvass Roman Shade" available in four different sizes (4'x 6', 5'x 6', 2.5' x 6' and 3'x 6') with sku numbers 376983, 376984, 376985, 384870; the "Sari Roman Shade" available in two colors (berry and chocolate) with sku numbers 394700, 394701; and the "Buddha or Floral Matchstick Blinds" sku numbers 407376, and 407221. A small tag on the back of the Canvass and Sari Roman Shades states "World Market© Cost Plus, Inc., Oakland, CA 94607, Made in India, 100% Cotton." In addition, this recall involves other styles of wooden roll-up blinds, with or without valances, that have the following SKU numbers: 404991, 404992, 404993, 400742, 499743, 400744, 400745, 400746 and 358064, 358065, 358066, 358067, 358068.

Sold at: Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from February 2006 through August 2008 for between $25 and $60.

Manufactured in: India and China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled window blinds/shades and return the product to any Cost Plus/World Market store to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cost Plus toll-free at (877) 967-5362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm's Web site at www.worldmarket.com

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and Roll-up shades in their homes. If looped pull cords, exposed inner cords, or exposed lifting loops are found and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing the blinds or shades with products that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.