Health Canada has released an announcement concerning the safety of children and window coverings with cords. Children die each year due to cord strangulation often from the cords of a window covering.
The following video and information are from Health Canada’s website at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/video/corded-window-coverings-safety.html
Any cords on a window covering can pose a strangulation hazard to children. This includes any cords used to raise and lower or tilt the blind, cords that are internal, or cords on the back of the blinds
In homes where children live or visit, it is best to replace corded window coverings with ones that are cordless, especially in children’s rooms and places where children play.
Strangulations can happen even when children are in places where parents believe they are safe, such as in a crib.
Never place a crib, playpen, bed or any type of furniture near a window where there is a blind cord. While exploring their environment, young children can become fatally entangled in a nearby blind cord.
When you’re choosing window coverings for your home, the safest ones have no dangling or accessible cords that you can see or touch.
Parents and caregivers may not be aware of the potential hazard corded blinds pose.If you live in a home where young children play or sleep, and already own corded window coverings, replace them with cordless window coverings.
If you cannot replace them, you can reduce the risk of serious injury by properly storing loose hanging cords, high and out of reach of children, whether blinds are up or down. To ensure children’s safety, the best practice is to use cordless blinds. Until you can replace corded products, keep the cords high and out of reach of children.
Corded window coverings can also become a greater risk if they are not properly installed. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using corded window coverings. Always read the warning labels.
A message from Health Canada and the Government of Canada.
Ref: (Government of Canada © Her Majesty, the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by Health Canada, 2013)
(Canada)