Sapulpa Grandmother Asks People To Take Shade And Blind Recall Seriously

By Terry Hood, The News On 6

Sapulpa, OK -- A Sapulpa grandmother whose grandson died after being strangled in the cord of a window blind has a plea for others.

It comes as more than 50-million shades and roll-up blinds are being recalled.

Eight deaths have been attributed to the recalled blinds since 2001. A Sapulpa grandmother is asking parents to take the recall seriously so they don't have to endure what she is going through.

"He was funny, he was a fun kid. He was always cutting up and giving the other kids a bad time," LaDeana Rush said of her grandson, Brandyn.

LaDeana and Arthur Rush have fond memories of their 3-year-old grandson.

"Sweet little boy, he was all boy," LaDeana laughed remebering her grandson.

Brandyn Coppedge lived in Norfok, VA, both of his parents are from the Tulsa area.

He died this past September 11th after getting his head stuck in the cord of a window blind.

"He was gone in thirty seconds, because as little as he is, they just lose their air real quick," LaDeana said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today it's recalling more than 50-million Roman style shades and roll-up blinds.

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

Roll-up blinds pose a threat if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child's neck becomes entangled on it.

The commission is asking all parents to examine the shades and blinds in their home to make sure they have no accessible cords.

Rush is not sure if the blind that killed her grandson is one that's being recalled but she wants parents to be aware of the danger and double-check each blind in their home.

"I just want them to take and realize that these blinds are dangerous and it doesn't take much for a little kid to get caught in them," LaDeana said.

Officials at the CPSC say five deaths and 16 near-strangulations are blamed on Roman shades since 2006.

Read the CPSC news release.

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