Window Cord Safety

A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that "since 1981 nearly 360 children have strangled to death in window cord accidents around the home." If the figures are correct it means that nearly one child is strangling in window cords every two weeks. Almost all of these deaths (93 percent) involve children three years old and under.

Strangulation deaths from window cords happen most often when children are in places their parents think are safe: in a crib or in a child's bedroom. In 85 percent of the documented cases, parents were at home at the time of the incident. Horribly, the deaths are silent -- the children can't call out for help.

There are two common ways children strangle in these cords. Infants in cribs near windows get tangled in the looped cords while sleeping or playing; and toddlers, trying to look out a window, climb on furniture, lose their footing, and get caught in the window cords.

The mortality rate from window cords makes them among the greatest strangulation threats to children three years old and younger. Eight-six percent of the window coverings involved in the incidents are venetian blinds or mini-blinds. Another nine percent are venetian-type vertical blinds. Other products that present a strangulation hazard to children in the home and have been redesigned include strings on pacifiers, recliner chairs, accordion-style baby gate, and electric garage doors.

The Window Covering Safety Council agreed to eliminate the loops in future production of window cords and to provide free safety tassels for consumers. Production of safer cords began in 1995. In addition, and at CPSC's urging, the industry recently agreed to a voluntary standard that eliminates all loops on miniblind cords and requires the use of a tensioning device on the continuous loop cords that are used primarily in vertical blinds. The industry expects all production to meet the new standard by September, 1997.

Risks to children can be reduced if parents and grandparents cut the loops of window cords, put on safety tassels, and move furniture away from blind cords. These simple precautions can prevent a nightmare. You can get safety tassels and tie downs by calling the Window Covering Safety Council toll free at 1-800-506-4636. For safety information on window cords, call the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

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