Last week, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with its counterparts in Canada and Europe, announced their initiative to establish international safety standards for window coverings. The problem is that various designs create pinch-points that injure and strangle children. Despite recalling tens of millions of corded Roman shades and roll-up blinds in the U.S. (in just the past 18 months) manufacturers continue to create and sell dangerous products with defective designs. Oregon law provides for product liability lawsuits for people injured by such dangerous products.
We all know that looped cords are a danger, and the simple solution is to clip the loop. Some products, however, cannot function if the cords are cut. Roller blinds are one such design.
For other window coverings, some Roman shades, for example, parents don't see the cord on the back that create risks of strangulation. To see what I mean, look at the photos found here.
For decades, this risk of child injury from window coverings has been known. However, manufacturers and stores continue to make and sell these defectively dangerous products. Although government efforts might help reduces the supply of these products in the future, it is up to parents to check what is covering windows now. Parents need to check their homes, day care, grandparents' homes and other places where your child lives and plays.
Jeff Merrick, Oregon Trial Attorney
Representing injured children & their families
503-665-4234
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