The Wall Street Journal’s Melanie Trottman reports:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and a coalition of makers, importers and retailers of window coverings said they are recalling up to 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because of a risk that young children could be strangled by the cords.

Since 2001, the Roman shades and roll-up blinds have been linked to deaths of eight young children and the near-strangulation of 16 more, regulators said. Venetian and vertical blinds also have been blamed in strangulation deaths. Those types were the subject of a recall nine years ago targeting 85 million blinds.

What’s politically notable here is that this has been going on since 2001, but the CPSC is only taking action now. This is a hopeful sign that the agency is using new powers Congress granted it last year to ensure the safety of everyday products.

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