SHADE-O-MATIC® ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY CORRECTIVE ACTION

   FOR CERTAIN STYLES OF ITS 2-INCH PRINTED FAUX WOOD BLINDS

TORONTO, May 30, 2008 – Shade-O-Matic®, a leading manufacturer and distributor of hard window coverings headquartered here, has recently determined that select styles of its

2-inch printed faux wood blinds do not comply with certain voluntary requirements of the National Standard of Canada, CAN/CSA-Z600-06 Safety of Corded Window Covering Products, published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Although the CSA standard is strictly voluntary as stated, Shade-O-Matic is taking this initiative in accordance with its strong commitment toward product safety within the window covering industry.

In particular, testing by outside parties revealed that the inner cord of these blinds can be pulled out to form a loop more than 4 inches in diameter, which could pose a strangulation hazard to young children, because the safety cord stops, which are used to prevent this, were positioned more than 1 to 2 inches below the headrail when the blind is in the fully lowered position.

Shade-O-Matic responded to the situation by immediately suspending any further sales of the affected product. The two retailers of the product, The Home Depot Canada and Sears Canada Inc., have done the same. Shade-O-Matic has also developed a Corrective Action Notice for the consumer with an explanation of the problem and instructions on how to fix the problem (see below). Shade-O-Matic has itself taken the necessary corrective action for product going forward and expects to resume sales of the product momentarily.

“We are committed to the highest levels of product safety within the window covering industry and are taking all steps necessary to resolve the situation,” said Angelo Bitondo, President of Shade-O-Matic.

 The recommended corrective action, which was evaluated by OnSpeX, a division of CSA Group, involves moving the inner cord stop to within 1 to 2 inches below the headrail when the blind is in the fully lowered position.

Corrective Action Notice

May 2008

 

Summary

Product: Shade-O-Matic 2-inch printed faux wood blinds (select styles).

Issue: Inner cord can be pulled out to form a loop more than 4 inches in diameter.

Risk: Strangulation hazard to young children.

Complete Corrective Action Notice

Full Product Description

Sold at The Home Depot Canada as Jasper Faux Wood Blinds (for stock orders) and S48 Printed Faux Wood Blinds (for cut-down orders).

Sold at Sears Canada Inc. (through catalogue) as Whole Home 2” Printed Faux Wood Blinds.

Hazard Identified

These blinds do not meet voluntary Canadian Standards Association (CSA) safety standard and may pose a strangulation hazard to young children.

 In particular, testing by outside parties revealed that the inner cord of these blinds can be pulled out to form a loop more than 4 inches in diameter, which could allow a child to become entangled in the cord.

It appears that the safety cord stops, which are used to prevent this, were positioned more than the required 1 to 2 inches below the headrail when the blind is in the fully lowered position.

No incidents or injuries have been reported to Health Canada, Shade-O-Matic, The Home Depot Canada or Sears Canada Inc. relating to the issue.

Corrective Action

Consumers can readily and easily move the safety cord stop to within 1 to 2 inches below the headrail when the blind is in the fully lowered position.

Detail instructions below.