August 26, 2009

Roll-Up Blinds and Roman Shades by Lewis Hyman Inc.

Name of Product: ¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds and Woolrich Roman Shades

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

Importer: Lewis Hyman Inc., of Carson, Calif.

Hazard: 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.

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 ¼ 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.

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.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using it immediately and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit. The repair kits for the Roman shades will be available by the end of September.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lewis Hyman toll-free at (877) 354-5457 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lewishymaninc.com/recall