Another blind recall has been announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This one involves about 163,000 Roman Shades from Ethan Allen Global Inc., of Danbury, Connecticut.

Although no incidents or injuries have been reported, the recall was implemented because strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shade, or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Also, strangulation can occur when a child’s neck become entangled in the freestanding loop.

The call back involves all styles and sizes of Roman Shades sold under the Ethan Allen brand name. These custom-ordered, made-to-order shades came in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes and have no labels or markings indicating the Ethan Allen brand. Manufactured in the United States, the affected shades were sold at Ethan Allen Design Centers since at least 1999 through December 2009. The majority were priced between $400 and $1,000.

The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the recalled Ethan Allen Roman Shades immediately and contact their local Ethan Allen Design Center for a free repair kit. Ethan Allen can be reached toll-free at 1-888-339-9398 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday; at a local Ethan Allen Design Center; or at the firm’s Web site at www.ethanallen.com.

Recently, various companies have pulled Roman shades and roll-up blinds over strangulation risks to children. A December 2009 recall, involving approximately 50 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds, was issued by the CPSC and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and was one of the largest product recalls ever in the United States.

According to the CPSC, roll-up blinds have been attributed to three strangulation deaths since 2001 and Roman shades have been implicated in the deaths of five children and 16 near strangulations since 2006.

Strangulations in Roman shades 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, the agency said. Strangulations in roll-up blinds can occur if the lifting loop slides 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.