Fair Trading urges action against hanging cord danger
Posted by editor (editor) on Oct 01 2009
2009 >>

The Office of Fair Trading is again urging Queensland parents and carers to check the safety of blind and curtain cords hanging in their homes, following the tragic death of a two-year-old girl in Geelong.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said that while our sympathies go out to the family the danger of hanging blind and curtain cords is something that is not well understood by parents and caregivers and often referred to as a hidden hazard.

“13 children have died in Australia after being strangled by cords since 2000,” Mr Lawlor said.

“In the United States, more than 170 children have died from injuries associated with curtain and blind cords since 1991.

“This is an easily preventable problem that is often not well understood by parents and caregivers and we feel it is important to alert Queenslanders and advise them on how to minimise the strangulation risk.

“Window covering cords should hang no lower than 1.6 metres from the ground, and should be tied up against a wall using hooks or cleats.

Mr Lawlor said the Office of Fair Trading has recently launched a safety campaign, supported by blind and curtain industry to raise awareness about the dangers of blind cords.

“As part of this campaign we are giving away free safety toggles to help parents and carers reduce the risk of hanging cords in their homes,” Mr Lawlor.

“These devices enable any looped cords to break apart when pressure is applied, which removes the strangulation threat to young children.”

Mr Lawlor said while the Queensland Government introduced strict mandatory safety standards governing window covering cords in 2006, products older than this would still pose a danger.

“Realistically there would be millions of unsafe blinds in consumer’s homes that remain a serious risk to young children,” he said.

“We are encouraging parents, and anyone else who has young children visit their homes, to take all necessary precautions.”

Queenslanders can obtain their free safety toggles online by visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or calling 13 13 04.

Minister's office: 3224 2002

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 4:38 PM