The Dangers Of Window Blind Cords

Window blind cords can be extremely dangerous. They get little attention because they are such a regular part of everyday life. However, for infants and toddlers, they are a significant safety hazard that can result in severe injuries and even death. In fact, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has listed window cords as one of the top five safety hazards in the home. They recommend using cordless window coverings in all homes where children visit or live.

The CPSC has recalled over five million window coverings because of safety hazards, including vertical and horizontal blinds, Roman shades, and roller and roll-up blinds. If your child has suffered injuries from a window blind cord, you may have a legal claim. You should speak with a California product liability lawyer to discuss your options.

Window Blind Cord Statistics

The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital conducted a 26-year long study that they published in December 2017. They found that two children, on average, will go to the emergency room every day because of injuries from window blinds. While most children are treated and released shortly after that, there was about one child fatality per month. The CPSC also reports that an average of one child per month is also nearly strangled as well.

Why Are Window Blinds So Dangerous?

It takes just seconds for a child to become strangled on a window blind cord. While parents may assume that their child will be safe because they are being supervised, it is impossible to watch a child at all times. Parents underestimate the risk associated with blind cords.

Children may have problems with:

• The loop in lose, continuous pull cords
• Tangling in long, dangling ropes
• Pulling and getting caught in internal cords on blinds
• Loops created by tangled wires or cords that are looped by the consumer
• Cables that are tied to a stationary object

A strangulation incident happens quickly, and it may be silent as well. A parent can walk away for just a few seconds and may not even realize that their child is being injured in the next room.

Safety Tips for Window Blinds

You can use the following tips to help avoid these often-devastating incidents:

• Use cordless window coverings as much as possible
• Ensure that cords cannot be accessed by children—put them up or cut them so children cannot reach them
• Install tension devices to make loose ropes taut
• Do not place furniture, cribs, or beds near windows with coverings that have cords
• Visit the Window Covering Safety Council’s website to get a free retrofit window safety kit

Window Blind Litigation

If your child has been harmed by defective window blind cords, you need to contact Mancini & Associates. Our California product liability attorneys will be able to examine your situation and determine what your next steps from a legal perspective may be. There are time limits that apply to these types of claims, so do not wait to make the call: 818-783-5757