Dangers of Mini Blind Cords

The looped cords used for window draperies, vertical blinds, pleated shades, and horizontal blinds pose a serious danger to young children.

According to a study published in a June 1997 Journal of the American Medical Association article, it is estimated that:

• 359 children were strangled by window covering cords from 1981 to 1995, which is equivalent to one strangulation every two weeks.

• Nearly half (49 percent) of the strangulations go unreported.

• Almost all the deaths (93 percent) were children three years old and younger.

Most strangulations occurred when the parents thought the child was safe, such as in their rooms or in their bed or crib.

Two common scenarios were found:

• Infants playing or sleeping in their cribs near windows got caught and tangled in the looped cords of the window treatment.
• Toddlers, while trying to look out a window or climbing on furniture, lost their footing and were wrapped in the cord.

Protect Children From Window Cord Strangulation

• Never place a crib or child's bed near a window.
• Never put a chair, sofa, bench, or bookcase near a window with a dangling cord.
• Get rid of loops on two-corded horizontal blinds in three steps:

1. Cut the cord above the end tassel (It may resemble a small wooden or plastic "thimble").
2. Remove the equalizer buckle.
3. Add new tassels for the two cords that have been created. Slip a tassel onto each cord and tie knots to hold them in place.
   
   Note: The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) urges to not tie the cords together after cutting them. This will only create a new loop in which a child can become entangled.

• Get rid of loops for two-corded pleated or cellular shades in three steps:

1. Leave the cord stop in place as close as possible to the headrail, when the blind is completely closed.
2. Cut the cords above the end tassel
3. Knot a separate tassel at the end of each cord

Warning: When the shades are raised, a loop will appear above the cord stop. Always keep the cord out of the reach of children.

Childproof vertical blinds, continuous loop systems and drapery cords

These window coverings require looped cords to function. Do not cut the loops. Instead, install a permanent tie-down device to the floor, wall, or window jamb so the cord or chain is pulled tight.

New tassels and tie-downs are available free of charge from the Window Covering Safety Council by calling 1-800-506-4636.