And my flamable rant re: the blinds recall

Garnetbaby09 · December 2009

I was watching NBC Nightly News last night and there was a story about the massive window blinds recall and they were interviewing this couple who almost lost their 18mo DS when he was being strangled by the cord of his roman shade while in his crib... Ok, that is very sad, but does anyone else see a problem with this?? They were showing pictures they took of his neck where the cord left marks and were all emotional about how dangerous these shades and blinds were... WHY was your child's crib so close to these blinds? WHY was the cord not kept out of your child's reach (at the very least.)?? I honestly think that in some situations, we should be recalling the parents rather than the so called dangerous products they let their children get a hold of. I could undestand if it was a toy or something but don't most blinds come with strangulation warnings on them??

TimingisEverything · December 2009

So the blinds were recalled b/c they have a cord? Don't all blinds have cords. Yes, in this case I think the parents are idiots.

lisabowman · December 2009

yes, they do come with a warning. Because some people are just not smart enough to think themselves "maybe I shouldn't hang this long cord right above the crib." I agree, some parents need to be recalled. But I'm glad to hear their LO is ok.

VAannie · December 2009

If it was a Roman shade that strangled him, it wasn't a cord left dangling that killed him. Roman shades have two cords up and down the back side of the shade that allow it to be pulled up and let down. Both of the windows in DS's rooms have Roman blinds, and I'd NEVER have guessed a baby could figure out how to stick their heads around to the back side and get tangled. I picked them specifically because they seemed safer than curtains or roll-up shades.

Here's a pick of the back side of a Roman shade.

https://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_files/images/1042/recalls/Target-Victoria-Classics-Thermal-Sailcloth-roman-shade-back-photo.jpg

(Sorry it's not clicky; I'm using Safari right now.)

AngelLuver_02 · December 2009

Garnetbaby09:
I was watching NBC Nightly News last night and there was a story about the massive window blinds recall and they were interviewing this couple who almost lost their 18mo DS when he was being strangled by the cord of his roman shade while in his crib... Ok, that is very sad, but does anyone else see a problem with this?? They were showing pictures they took of his neck where the cord left marks and were all emotional about how dangerous these shades and blinds were... WHY was your child's crib so close to these blinds? WHY was the cord not kept out of your child's reach (at the very least.)?? I honestly think that in some situations, we should be recalling the parents rather than the so called dangerous products they let their children get a hold of. I could undestand if it was a toy or something but don't most blinds come with strangulation warnings on them??

Yes Yes

goodheartedmommy · December 2009

I agree with you.

Justinlove · December 2009

VAannie:

If it was a Roman shade that strangled him, it wasn't a cord left dangling that killed him. Roman shades have two cords up and down the back side of the shade that allow it to be pulled up and let down. Both of the windows in DS's rooms have Roman blinds, and I'd NEVER have guessed a baby could figure out how to stick their heads around to the back side and get tangled. I picked them specifically because they seemed safer than curtains or roll-up shades.

Here's a pick of the back side of a Roman shade.

https://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_files/images/1042/recalls/Target-Victoria-Classics-Thermal-Sailcloth-roman-shade-back-photo.jpg

(Sorry it's not clicky; I'm using Safari right now.)

It is Roman shades (along with other blinds). In the news report I saw, it showed how you can pull the back side cords (that you referenced) to make a loop that a child can get caught in. I actually tested it with some blinds in my house and yes, it is possible to get a big loop, but it takes some effort.

That being said, the report I saw also talked about how there is an inherent risk in EVERYTHING in our house. Should stairs be recalled because a child can fall down them? Sofas because a child can get caught between the cushions and suffocate? Coffee tables because they have hard corners? Electrical appliances because they have cords? They even sarcastically said parents should all just buy bubbles for our child to live in...but then we would probably recall them too. While I agree that some recalls are necessary, many are unnecessary. Where does common sense and parental responsibility come in to play?

Wow, I'll step off my soapbox now.

brideofscowboy · December 2009

This is exactly how I feel about the crib recall too. IF the parents were smart enough to assemble it properly (teething rail up), the mechanisms would have not cracked or warped. BUT stork craft recalled them all b/c some parents are stupid and dont realize that even if you switched the rail around so the teething guard is not facing the floor...the hardware could still be cracked/warped.

I've come to realize that the general public....can be very 'special'

VAannie · December 2009

Justinlove:
VAannie:

If it was a Roman shade that strangled him, it wasn't a cord left dangling that killed him. Roman shades have two cords up and down the back side of the shade that allow it to be pulled up and let down. Both of the windows in DS's rooms have Roman blinds, and I'd NEVER have guessed a baby could figure out how to stick their heads around to the back side and get tangled. I picked them specifically because they seemed safer than curtains or roll-up shades.
Here's a pick of the back side of a Roman shade.
https://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_files/images/1042/recalls/Target-Victoria-Classics-Thermal-Sailcloth-roman-shade-back-photo.jpg
(Sorry it's not clicky; I'm using Safari right now.)
It is Roman shades (along with other blinds). In the news report I saw, it showed how you can pull the back side cords (that you referenced) to make a loop that a child can get caught in. I actually tested it with some blinds in my house and yes, it is possible to get a big loop, but it takes some effort.
That being said, the report I saw also talked about how there is an inherent risk in EVERYTHING in our house. Should stairs be recalled because a child can fall down them? Sofas because a child can get caught between the cushions and suffocate? Coffee tables because they have hard corners? Electrical appliances because they have cords? They even sarcastically said parents should all just buy bubbles for our child to live in...but then we would probably recall them too. While I agree that some recalls are necessary, many are unnecessary. Where does common sense and parental responsibility come in to play?
Wow, I'll step off my soapbox now.

I agree with you, except the Roman shades in DS's room don't take ANY effort to create the loop, and I had no idea. If they hadn't issued the recall/free repair kits, I'd never have known to check what otherwise appear to be very kid-friendly shades. I knew to keep the pull cord away from his crib -- that's just common sense, people -- (the shades come with a winding device, which we screwed into the window frame way at the top). But the back side of a shade is just not something I would think to be a danger.

Garnetbaby09 · December 2009

VAannie:

If it was a Roman shade that strangled him, it wasn't a cord left dangling that killed him. Roman shades have two cords up and down the back side of the shade that allow it to be pulled up and let down. Both of the windows in DS's rooms have Roman blinds, and I'd NEVER have guessed a baby could figure out how to stick their heads around to the back side and get tangled. I picked them specifically because they seemed safer than curtains or roll-up shades.

Here's a pick of the back side of a Roman shade.

https://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_files/images/1042/recalls/Target-Victoria-Classics-Thermal-Sailcloth-roman-shade-back-photo.jpg

(Sorry it's not clicky; I'm using Safari right now.)

No, it defintely was a roman shade. And yes, baby was able to get his head in the back cords and that's all it took. The dad admitted that the crib "wasn't too far away from the shade." and they showed what it looked like. Believe it or not they aren't as safe as you think.

VAannie · December 2009

Garnetbaby09:
VAannie:

If it was a Roman shade that strangled him, it wasn't a cord left dangling that killed him. Roman shades have two cords up and down the back side of the shade that allow it to be pulled up and let down. Both of the windows in DS's rooms have Roman blinds, and I'd NEVER have guessed a baby could figure out how to stick their heads around to the back side and get tangled. I picked them specifically because they seemed safer than curtains or roll-up shades.
Here's a pick of the back side of a Roman shade.
https://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_files/images/1042/recalls/Target-Victoria-Classics-Thermal-Sailcloth-roman-shade-back-photo.jpg
(Sorry it's not clicky; I'm using Safari right now.)
Believe it or not they aren't as safe as you think.

Well, obviously. :-P Thus my freak-out yesterday when I realized how easily DS could become entangled in ours.

*H&J* · December 2009

Completely agree. Whats next, recalling electrical outlets b/c someone stuck something in them. Parents need to take some responsibility for their childs safety and not blaming companies for making something that YOU buy. Look at the d@m box in the store, if you feel uncomfortable with the design, don't buy it!

Shweensickle · December 2009

I toooooooooootally agree, like a bajillion %.

And I wish we could recall parents.

It's like the idiots who installed their dropside crib UPSIDE DOWN, and then were shocked when the kid got hurt b/c the dropside broke? Things that make you go 'hmmmm'....

jolis_petits_bijoux · December 2009

I completely agree. Common sense, people.

JARbaby · December 2009

Justinlove:

...inherent risk in EVERYTHING in our house. Should stairs be recalled because a child can fall down them? Sofas because a child can get caught between the cushions and suffocate? Coffee tables because they have hard corners? Electrical appliances because they have cords? They even sarcastically said parents should all just buy bubbles for our child to live in...but then we would probably recall them too. While I agree that some recalls are necessary, many are unnecessary. Where does common sense and parental responsibility come in to play?

Wow, I'll step off my soapbox now.

When your (collective your) children are old enough to think laterally and climb at the same time, I am sure you will agree with what the OP said. Not all children are the same. My oldest is creative, curious and can climb anything...and will. She ate a clay hand print from when she was a baby that she got from the top of a dresser...how? I have no idea. It is 5 feet tall. So go and remove all things even those out of reach that you think or don't think could put in their mouth. Get rid of knives, move to a 1 level house (mine can undo the gates), pad the floors. Seriously, it is dangerous.

Leila'sMommy · December 2009

I couldn't agree more with you. I thought the same thing when I saw the information for the recall on the Today show. Common sense goes a long way. I agree that they do pose a safety hazard, but putting your baby's crib by them?!?! C'mon.

Want a personalized experience?

And my flamable rant re: the blinds recall

Re: And my flamable rant re: the blinds recall

Choose Another Board

Search Boards