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Beware loose blinds and curtain cords
In the last 20 years in Australia, 15 small children have died as a result of strangulation after becoming entangled in loose cords, with two fatalities in Victoria, as recently as August and October 2009.
As part of a nation-wide campaign, NSW Fair Trading is urging parents to check and fix dangerous blind and curtain cords to help prevent more deaths.
Take action – follow the four safety steps:
- Check all blind and curtain cords - both at home and when you’re away on holidays. Make sure they are out of reach of children.
- Make loose cords safe - use cleats or cut the cord loop and attach a tassel at the end of each strand.
- Choose safe blinds and curtains - make sure new curtains and blinds have warning labels and provide a way to secure the cords out of reach.
- Keep children away from all cords - move furniture, cots and beds away from cords. Never leave children alone in a room with cords they can reach.
Loose blind and curtain cords can kill. Fix them out of reach so kids are out of danger.
For more information and to order copies of a free brochure go to www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20.
Case 1
A three year old was left in the house for a few minutes while the mother was hanging out washing. The child climbed on to a bed and played with incorrectly secured looped cords. The child managed to place the looped cord around her head and slipped from the bed. The mother found the child just several minutes later. The child could not be revived and died shortly after.
Case 2
An 18-month-old child was placed in a cot to have a sleep. The child woke up and played with looped cords alongside the cot. The child became entangled in the cords and eventually became tired and sat down in the cot. The cords strangled the child and the child could not be revived.
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