Window Blinds Are A Safety Threat To Children, Study Says

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Our child’s health and safety are endangered by cords of window blinds, according to a new study recently published in the journal Pediatrics.

The study discovered that almost 17,000 children under the age of 6 were sent to the emergency room because of incidents relating to window blinds from 1990 to 2015.

From the study, researchers noticed that most of the hospitalized children were released after treatment, but some died from strangulation caused by the cords of window blinds.

“There is a misperception that if we just watch our kids carefully, they will be safe,” said senior study author Dr. Gary Smith, of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in a press release.

“But even the best parent in the world cannot watch their child every second of every day. A curious child can quickly get entangled in a window blind cord. This can lead to strangulation within minutes, and the parent may not hear a thing because the child often can’t make a sound while this is happening.”

Most of the incidents in this study happened within 10 minutes after parents left their children alone.

The risk peaked with kids aged between 1 and 4.

According to their findings, researchers have made some recommendations to prevent incidents cause by window blind:

• If possible, replace corded window blinds with cordless blinds or other window coverings that do not involve cords.
• Use manufacturer-provided retrofit kits to reduce cord hazards. The researchers noted that this option is less safe than replacing corded window blinds altogether.
• Move furniture away from windows to prevent children from reaching blinds.
• Talk to family members your child spends time with about window blind risks so they know how to keep your child safe.

Ask your health care provider about how to keep your child safe from hidden hazards in the home.