The first death was that of a three-year-old boy from Lichfield. It was followed by the death of a 16-month-old baby girl from Stafford.

It had been thought that one or two young children died each year in the UK from blind cord strangulation – though this number could be higher, as not every death is reported in the press. However, two deaths in the same week and in the same county is unheard of.

What can parents and carers do?

Children under four are at greatest risk. They’re full of energy and love to climb up – on a toy chest, chair, bookcase, chest of drawers or even a radiator thermostat – to see out of the window or reach a favourite toy. But if they lose their balance and the blind cord gets tangled round their neck, strangulation can take place in seconds, as they struggle to get free.

It’s even been known for crawling babies to get tangled in long blind cords hanging down onto the floor or for babies to get caught in blind cords hanging into their cots.

Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of strangulation:

Make sure all looped blind cords and chains are safely out of children’s reach.

Move your child’s cot, bed, highchair or playpen away from a window blind.

If you can, move other furniture away from a window blind too.

There are lots of safety devices on the market that you can use to secure blind cords safely out of harm’s way – including simple cleat hooks that you can wrap the blind cord around.

Examples of blind cord cleats
(image courtesy Blinds Across America)

If you’re buying new blinds, look for ones with inbuilt safety features like chains that break apart when excessive force is applied, pulleys/devices that hold the blind cord tightly in place or blinds that don’t use looped cords at all, for example, those that use wands to operate the blind mechanism.

All members of the British Blind and Shutter Association sell blinds that meet new European safety standards. To find a member in your area go to their website British Blind and Shutter Association.