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Window Blind Cords: A Serious Threat to Children – What You Need to Know
When it comes to parenting, deciding what to genuinely worry about can be quite the challenge. There’s always a new list of potential hazards floating around. However, some concerns deserve our full attention—like the dangers posed by window blind cords.
If you have little ones at home, you’ve likely heard warnings about the perils of these dangling cords. They pose a significant strangulation risk for young children, prompting some retailers to phase out corded blinds entirely. For instance, IKEA made headlines when they eliminated corded blinds from their inventory. Similarly, SelectBlinds.com has embraced a totally cordless approach, even launching a #GoCordless campaign to raise awareness about the hazards associated with corded window treatments.
“It was a pressing safety concern,” a spokesperson from SelectBlinds.com shared with us. “We kept witnessing tragic accidents involving children and window coverings, which hit home for many of us, especially those of us with young kids. We previously offered free cord cleats to help secure the cords, but we realized that wasn’t enough. Even tied-up cords can still present a danger.”
The issue with blind cords is that even when secured, they can become loose, keeping the strangulation risk alive. Plus, if the cords are cut short, they can still be long enough to be dangerous when the blinds are raised. The safest bet? Cut the cord at the headrail, rendering it useless for raising the blinds, and simply use the wand to adjust slats for light and privacy control. This approach is far better than risking your child’s safety.
On average, more than 20 children each year in the U.S. are strangled by window covering cords. It only takes 15 seconds for a child to lose consciousness, and just a minute can lead to tragedy. Between 1986 and 2012, there were 184 reported child fatalities due to cord blind accidents, alongside 101 non-fatal incidents. In comparison, there were only 48 infant deaths linked to crib bumpers during the same time frame, and most parents now steer clear of those. It’s clear we need to take the risks associated with corded blinds seriously.
Following a recent incident that claimed the life of another child, the founder and CEO of SelectBlinds.com made a choice to prioritize safety over profit. “We couldn’t wait for industry regulations to catch up,” they explained. “We needed to act now.”
But what if replacing your blinds isn’t in the budget? Not everyone can allocate funds for a full home makeover. Fortunately, there are still options available. You can order cord cleats for free online to keep cords out of reach or replace window coverings room-by-room instead of trying to tackle your entire house all at once. There are also affordable paper blinds that look quite nice, perfect for a child’s room or nursery. They come in packs of six, making it easy to swap them out if they get dirty. Additionally, keeping furniture like cribs away from windows can help minimize risks.
Updating your blinds doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or costly task. With just a drill and a measuring tape, you can easily install new blinds yourself. I reached out to SelectBlinds.com to test this theory, and it was simple! Just two screws and the blinds were up—no professional help needed. While there are pricey options available, there are also budget-friendly alternatives.
In summary, if replacing your blinds isn’t feasible, consider removing the cords entirely. If you’re renting and can’t make modifications, be sure to take advantage of the free cord cleats. Parenting comes with a mountain of worries, but some safety concerns, like those posed by window blind cords, are definitely worth taking seriously.
For further insights, you might find this blog post on home insemination kits helpful. Additionally, check out this resource on intrauterine insemination for valuable information about pregnancy and home options. If you’re looking for authoritative support on your path to parenthood, Make A Mom is a great place to start.
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