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Window Covering
Safety
Children can Strangle
in Window Covering Cords
- Reprint
of CPSC Document #5114
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council are
joining with major manufacturers, importers, and retailers across
the United States to warn parents and caregivers that young children
can become entangled and strangle in pull cords for window coverings.
CPSC is aware of at least 194 deaths since 1981. With the continuing
number of strangulation deaths, CPSC is reissuing this warning
which was first issued in 1985.
Window covering cords are one
of the products most frequently associated with strangulation
of children under five. The younger victims, usually between
10 to 15 months of age, typically are in cribs which have been
placed near window covering pull cords.
Although a few older children,
usually from two to four years old, find cords hanging near the
floor, most of these victims become entangled in cords while
climbing on furniture to look out the window. Entanglement and
strangulation can occur when a child is alone in a room for only
a short time. The CPSC and the Window Covering Safety Council
urge parents to eliminate the loop in two-corded horizontal blinds,
and pleated and cellular shades by using any of the following
technical fixes:
Horizontal Blinds
Cut the cord above the tassel, remove the equalizer buckle, and
add a separate tassel at the end of each cord, or cut the cord
above the tassel, remove the equalizer buckle, and add a breakaway
tassel which will separate if a child becomes entangled in the
loop.
Pleated or Cellular Shades
Leave the cord stop near the headrail in place. Cut the cord
above the tassel and add a separate tassel at the end of each
cord. Warning: When shades are raised, a loop will appear above
the cord stop. Keep cord out of the reach of children.
Vertical Blinds,
Continuous Loop Systems, and Drapery Cords - Reprinted from
CPSC Document #5115
--Install a cord tie-down device.
Permanently attach and use the tie-down to floor, wall, or window
jamb.
--Keep all window covering cords
out of the reach of children. Unless the cords can be completely
removed from a child's reach, including when a child climbs on
furniture, CPSC recommends against knotting or tying the cords
together which creates a new loop for a child to become entangled.
--Replacement safety tassels
are available free of charge at window covering retailers. Consumers
can call (800) 506-4636 to find the location of the nearest store
or to order free tassels.
--CPSC also recommends that when
you install window coverings, adjust the cords to their shortest
length possible. When you order new custom window
coverings, specify that you want a short cord.
To report incidents or injuries
relating to a consumer product, consumers should call the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline number
at (800) 638-2772. A teletypewriter for the hearing impaired
is available at (800) 638-8270. Consumers can obtain recall information
and report product hazards by the INTERNET at ww.cpsc.gov. |
