All such deaths involved children in cribs placed next to windows. In most cases, the outer pull cords were placed out of reach, but the children strangled when they pulled on the inner cords of the blinds. The strangulation victims ranged in age from 9 months to 17 months. The new investigation has prompted the industry to further redesign blinds with attachments on the pull cords to prevent inner cords from looping. The repair kits have both small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose and safety tassels for pre-1995 window blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops.
Window covering safety tips CPSC and the window covering council offer the following safety tips.
Cut the loops on the end of pull cords and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord. Install the attachment to prevent inner cords from being pulled loose. Obtain special tie-downs for vertical blinds, draperies, pleated shades and other window coverings with continuous loop cords. Keep window covering cords and chains permanently out of reach of children, including when the child climbs on furniture. Secure pull cords out of reach with cleats that allow you to wrap the cords up and out of reach.