The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because of the risk children may be strangled by the cords.

The commission said five deaths and 16 near-strangulations from Roman shades have been reported since 2006, while three deaths connected to roll-up blinds have been reported since 2001.

Roman shades can become dangerous, the CPSC said, if a child's neck gets stuck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind, or if the cord gets wrapped around a child's neck.

Roll-up blinds pose a strangulation threat if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on it, or if a child neck's gets between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

The commission and the industry urged parents to examine all shades and blinds in the home and make sure they have no accessible cords. They also advised parents not to place cribs, beds or other furniture close to windows because children can climb on the furniture and reach the cords.

Cordless window coverings are recommended for all homes where children live or visit.

Blinds from the following companies are included in the recall: Wal-Mart, J. C. Penney, All Strong Industry Inc., Lotus & Windoware Inc., International Merchandise, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Draper Inc., Louis Hornick & Co. Inc.

Consumers can obtain free repair kits for Roman shades and roll-up blinds online at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling the Window Covering Safety Council toll-free at 1-800-506-4636.

The Timberland Company is recalling about 21,000 pairs of classic scuffproof boots. The logo stamped onto the insoles contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

This recall involves children's Timberland 6 inch Classic Scuffproof boots. The boots are wheat-colored leather and were sold in toddler size 4 through junior size 7. Model numbers included in this recall are: 34772, 34872 and 34972. Manufacturer/date codes included in this recall are 6456, 6556, 6656, 6756 and 6856.

Shoe stores and specialty retailers sold the boots from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $50 and $70.

Consumers should contact Timberland to receive free replacement insoles for the boots. Call toll-free 1-800-445-5545 or visit the firm's Web site at www.timberland.com.

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