Near Strangulation of Child Prompts Recall of Roman Shades by Whole Space; Sold Exclusively by Hanover Direct/Domestications

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.

Name of Product: Faux Suede Roman Shades

Units: About 90,000

Importer: Hanover Direct Inc., (also known as Domestications) of Weehawken, N.J.

Manufacturer: Whole Space Industries LTD, of Centereach, N.Y.

Hazard: 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.

Incidents/Injuries: In March 2008, a 2-year-old boy from Ocean View, Delaware climbed up on a toy chest to look out of a window and became entangled in the inner cords of the Roman shade. His parents removed the cord which left a temporary red mark around his neck. No permanent injuries were sustained.

Description: This recall involves all Faux Suede room darkening Roman shades with style number 12810A. The shades were sold in Ivory, Taupe, Gold, Plum, Wine Red, Midnight Blue, Moss Green and Dark Brown and have a head rail that measures 23, 27, 31, 35, 39 43 or 48 inches. The shades have a sticker on the head rail with the letters “WS” and “style 12810A” is printed on the packaging box.

Sold at: Hanover Direct/Domestications via internet at www.domestications.com and through catalog sales nationwide from January 2004 through December 2008 for between $20 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Hanover Direct/Domestications for a free retrofit kit that removes both the operating cords and the exposed inner cords from the shades.

Consumer Contact: For information, contact Hanover Direct/Domestications toll-free at (800) 524-0597 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.domestications.com