Children can strangle themselves on blind and drapery cords

Drapery and venetian blind cords have been in homes for decades, so we take them completely for granted. However, they kill children all the time -- hundreds of kids have died when they strangled in the cords on drapes and blinds. The two most common ways for cord strangulation to occur are:

1. The child's crib is next to a window and the cord gets into the crib when the blinds are raised. The child gets entangled in the cord while playing or sleeping.
2. A child jumps or is playing near the cord and the cord accidentally hangs the child. The phrase accidental hanging is a common term in hospital emergency rooms. Accidental hanging happens most frequently with blind and drapery cords.

Steps you can take

• Use cordless window coverings.
• Eliminate any looped blind or drape cords. Cut the loops.  
• Eliminate any long blind or drape cords.
• Keep all cords (of any kind) well out of reach of children. Keep in mind that children can jump, children can climb and children can leap off of furniture. The "6-inch rule" is a good one -- never have any piece of string, thread, cord, drawstring, etc. longer than six inches anywhere near your children.