Two children hurt a day by window blinds
Pediatricians are calling for window cords to be 'designed out of existence.'
The claims come after a new study found nearly two children are injured every day in blind related injuries, CNN reports.
The US study published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday, shows from 1990 to 2015, nearly 17,000 children younger than 6 were treated in emergency rooms for window-blind related injuries.
As a result, researchers concluded window blinds should be ‘eliminated’.
"Despite existing voluntary safety standards for window blinds, these products continue to pose an injury risk to young children. Although many of the injuries in this study were nonfatal and resulted in minor injuries, cases involving window blind cord entanglements frequently resulted in hospitalization or death. A mandatory safety standard that eliminates accessible window blind cords should be adopted."
Advice from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne says blind should bit fitted with rods instead of cords.
“Where there are cords, wrap them around a cleat (available from hardware stores) attached to the wall near the top of the curtain or blind.
“The length of any cord should not be longer than 30cm and be well off the floor and out of reach of curious toddlers.
Other important points:
- Do not attach cords or string to dummies
- Keep cots away from blind and curtain cords
- Keep mobiles out of reach of infants
