For example, in 1997, over 100,000 children under 5 went to U.S. hospital emergency rooms with stair-related injuries. Many of these injuries might have been prevented had safety gates been used. CPSC helped develop a voluntary safety standard for child safety gates. Children can strangle in the loops of window blind cords. About one child a month strangles in window covering cords.
Many strangulations occur in the loop of the cords.
At least two children since 1990 have died in child care settings after standing up in their cribs and becoming entangled in a window blind cord. Because of CPSC's work with industry, all loops on mini-blind cords have been eliminated. CPSC also advises that child care providers with older mini-blinds or venetian blinds cut the looped cord, remove the buckle, and put a safety tassel on each cord. Older vertical blinds and drapery cords should have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. When buying new window coverings, child care providers should ask for child safety features.