Warning
2006-29
May 15, 2006
For immediate release
OTTAWA - Health Canada is again urging the Canadian public to protect young children from the strangulation
hazard posed by cords on blinds, curtains and other window coverings. This has been prompted by two
recent deaths, one in Manitoba and another in Quebec.
Health Canada strongly recommends that blind and
curtain pull-cords and bead-chains be kept out of the reach of young children because they pose a dangerous
strangulation hazard.
Hazards associated with corded window covering products can be mitigated by acting on the following:
Many horizontal blinds, shades, and curtains have pull-cords that form continuous loops; these cords should
be cut to form two separate cords to eliminate the dangerous loop which can strangle a child. Furthermore,
when the blind, shade or curtain is fully down or fully closed, all pull-cords should be cut as short as possible.
The cords must then be secured out of the reach of children by wrapping them around a cleat or hook secured
high on the wall, or by holding the wrapped cord up high with a big twist tie or clip.
Tension devices should be used with window coverings with looped bead-chains. These devices safely secure
the bead-chain flush to the wall, making it inaccessible to children.
Dangerous loops can also be formed by the inner-cords of window coverings - the inner-cords are those which
run through the slats of the blind. Inexpensive safety devices, called cord stops, are available to stop loops
from forming in these inner-cords.
Cord and bead-chain safety devices are supplied with many new window coverings, and they are available from
some department, hardware, and window covering stores to retrofit older window covering products.
The most critical safety measure is to always keep pull-cords and
bead-chains high and out of the reach of children, or secured with a tension device.
The location of furniture in the home also has an impact on the safety of corded window covering
products. Cribs, children's beds and playpens should never be placed near windows or patio doors
that are equipped with corded window coverings. This is to avoid the possibility of the cord dangling
within the child's reach, resulting in entanglement and strangulation. Sofas, chairs, tables and
other furniture should never be placed near windows fitted with corded window coverings, as children
can climb onto or jump from the furniture and reach the cords.
It is also important that these safety
precautions are taken in the homes of friends and family members where a child is visiting. Children have died
when they have been strangled by
window blind or curtain cords during visits.
To assist in minimizing the hazards associated with these products,
Health Canada has produced a demonstration video which depicts the actions people may take to keep the cords
out of the reach of young children. Also available is a static window cling that will serve as a reminder
that window covering cords must not be left dangling. The window cling is to be placed on windows fitted with
corded window coverings. The video may be viewed on line and the window clings ordered from Health
Canada's Blinds and Window Cords web page.
Free safety kits containing inner-cord stops, tassels, tie-down devices and a safety brochure with
instructions are available from the Window Covering Safety
Council by calling 1-800-506-4636 or visiting their website.
For additional safety information on window blind and curtain cords, please visit Health
Canada's Blinds and Window Cords web page or call 1-866-662-0666.
E-mail inquiries may be sent to: cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (please indicate the province or territory from
which you are corresponding).
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Media Enquiries:
Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
