Blind/curtain cord hazards

Loose blind/curtain cords are considered dangerous to young children because they present a strangulation hazard.

At least 15 children die in Australia as a result of being strangled by blind or curtain cords each year.

The number is closer to 200+ in the USA and in the UK alone at least 1 child per month dies from this tragic accident.

Due to some tragic incidents there was the introduction of a national mandatory standard  to reduce injuries and accidents in the hope of preventing more tragedies.

The standard applies to all corded internal window coverings. It first came into effect for all blinds and curtains with cords that were sold and supplied from 30 December 2010.

The mandatory standard stipulates that corded internal window coverings must have warning labels that highlight the strangulation hazard to children and that corded internal window coverings must be accompanied by installation instructions.

If there are cords with the window coverings then they need to remain firmly attached to a wall or other structure specified in the installation instructions.

While the introduction of the national standard set the guidelines for companies to follow to reduce incidents but we too can do some simple steps in the home to protect our children and prevent tragedy, especially if the window coverings you have are before the new national standard came into effect.

• When buying new curtains and blinds being aware of the safety requirements such as aforementioned warning labels to remind you of the potential dangers.
• They should operate without any exposed cords/chains.
• Blinds should provide a way to secure any cords or chains. This should be without the option for loops or strands that they can not be reached by children AT ALL.
• Immediately tie cords out of reach after using them.
• Make sure that you constantly check that there are no loose or looped cords. You may always remember but someone else may have opened them and forgotten so remain vigilant.
• Purchase products such as tensioning devices to help in the safety of your blind/curtains.
• Always use the correct securing products. Using products such as double sided tape is not applicable. There is the real risk of it not staying secured at all times. It also potentially provides a false sense of security that they are securely fastened.
• Don’t let your children play near or with them.
• Never leave them alone in a room. Supervision helps to prevent most accidents. This is no exception.
• Move anything that your child could move to use to climb up to reach the cords away.
• Ensure your child’s bed/cot, highchair, etc is not placed near a window. Blinds that are tied around a cleat can still be untied by a child.