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Original poster

To ask you to think about looped blind cords

40 replies

MissMoro · 05/12/2013 09:40

A lady local to me has started a campaign to ban the sale of blinds which have looped cords after her daughter was killed in an accident with them.

I think she is being very brave as she has had loads of stick in our local paper from people who think they are better parents than to ever let an accident happen.

www.facebook.com/legacyforlucyban?fref=ts

Please have a look, sign and share

OP posts:
Aussiemum78 · 05/12/2013 09:47

I think they are illegal in Australia for that exact reason. And have been for some time.

The blind manufacturers just changed design so that loops are taken out, or have a pull-apart join that separates if weight is placed it in ie a child's neck.

Easy change to make, costs little, why wouldn't people agree?

Cookethenook · 05/12/2013 09:53

I'm so so sorry that this happened, but i do think it's taking it a bit far. We tie all of our blind cords up. No chance of strangulation. It's like someone tried to tell me the other day that our Anglecare monitor was dangerous because 2 children had died after being tangled in the cords. We use cable ties and cable clips, there is no way DS could become tangled.

OrangePixie · 05/12/2013 09:55

A little girl in my town died from being caught in a blind cord. I pass her grave once a week as I cut through the cemetery. Why would you take the risk of living that hell when it's so easily removed?

JimmyCorkhill · 05/12/2013 09:55

Just signed it.

MsVestibule · 05/12/2013 10:00

I do think they should be banned. There are alternatives which only cost a very shall amount more to manufacture. cookthenook many parents haven't even heard of this issue. I hadn't until DC2 was about 2, when I cut all of the cords, but still not 100% if they're completely safe.

According to RoSPA, 14 children have died in the UK since the beginning of 2010. missmiro regarding letters to the local paper, how can people be do cruel?

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/12/2013 10:04

We had loops they are all cut and removed.

I saw the This Morning about the lady who left her DD to dash upstairs, she was engrossed in pepa pig and came down to found her passed away. it was seconds, one or two mins.

I think they should be banned too.

cook not everyone is as savy as you, people still use them and have no idea that lots of dc are dying and being killed from a simple blind loop.

magicberry · 05/12/2013 10:14

but not all blinds are made by 'manufacturers' in factories. ours are handmade by a sole trader. Like cook below, we are fastidious about winding the additional length around the cleat.
I read a terrible story once about a lady whose twins were killed when a chest of drawers fell on them. I knew someone whose son pulled a wardrobe down on him (but thankfully he was ok). But nobody says we should ban freestanding furniture despite these dangers.

Original poster
MissMoro · 05/12/2013 10:17

Elf on the shelf - well put, It might be the people who move into your house after you, or they could be somewhere you stay for the night, or an office you visit. I brought a black out blind for my 13yo, and since seeing this campaign noticed it has the looped cord. My children are all older, but we do have visitors, and it wouldn't have occurred to me that there was a danger if little ones go upstairs.

OP posts:
slightlygoostained · 05/12/2013 10:20

www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/swallowing-batteries-can-kill-parents-not-getting-message

It's those tiny batteries that worry me. Harder to avoid.

slightlygoostained · 05/12/2013 10:20

www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/swallowing-batteries-can-kill-parents-not-getting-message

It's those tiny batteries that worry me. Harder to avoid.

Original poster
MissMoro · 05/12/2013 10:21

Magic berry - no, no-one says we should ban freestanding furniture, but no-one says we should ban blinds either, just this type of cord.
Every piece of furniture I have brought in the last 10 years at least has come with a wall fixing to ensure it doesn't topple over, so things can be put in place to stop unnecessary accidents.

OP posts:
Aussiemum78 · 05/12/2013 10:21

Cookethenook I dont understand why it's "too far" to slightly change a design so it's safe, rather than using "cable ties".

All they need is a join that comes apart when pressure is put on them, probably a few cents to add the extra part.

gamerchick · 05/12/2013 10:32

You can buy the little plastic thing to attach cut cords together. I don't know why they can't be made standard.

I've always tied mine up so they can't be reached without thinking about it. It's not worth the risk.

Ellengriswold · 05/12/2013 10:38

Liked link and signed e petition.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 05/12/2013 10:45

We have blind cord safety clips, which your screw to the wall then the cord goes through this and so keeps the cords safely away. You can buy them very cheaply but I think they should come with all blinds as standard and i really don't understand why manufacturers don't inlcude them.

Ours all actually have the little plastic thing that attaches the cords but I prefer to have the safety clips as well.

specialsubject · 05/12/2013 11:01

There has been heavy publicity for this and all blinds now come with this safety warning attached and in the instructions. (I know, just bought one)

two issues and workarounds:

  • looped blind cords. All new blinds now come with a device to fix the cord to the wall so there is no loop for the child to get stuck in. You can buy the securing device separately, or just cut the loop to make two strings. If visiting somewhere, tie up the loop high and secure with a clothes peg.
  • vertical blinds joined by loops. I believe the new designs are weighted, not looped together. For those with the old type; take the blinds down, or if the child is visiting such a place open the blind (i.e so all the pieces are close together at the sides of the window) and secure top and bottom with a clothes peg.

we do this in my parents house when a toddler visits.

I thought 'oh no, not again', but this poor little girl died 5 years ago sadly there have been others since. It is now changing, but do keep spreading the word.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/12/2013 11:11

Magic, I read that story too and we secured all the heavy pieces in our house, takes minuets and very cheap brackets from homebase.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/12/2013 11:13

Its the speed at which the accident can be fatal too.

sashh · 05/12/2013 11:18

Sorry for the parents, but this happens every couple of years. It is tragic that a child is killed but parents have some responsibility.

Electrical power sockets are dangerous which is why you can get covers, the same for drawer and cupboard locks and plastic 'corners' for tables.

There are thousands of hazards in the average home, you cannot ban all of them.

I have yet to buy a blind which has long cords but does not have the metal thing you tie the cords to.

Just banning the loop is also silly, having 2 strings is less of a hazard but could also hang a child.

As could an infinity scarf, a pump bag cord, a dressing gown belt.

Should there be more awareness? Well given the replies on here yes, but you cannot ban everything a child might be hurt/killed with if used inappropriately.

Original poster
MissMoro · 05/12/2013 11:53

Sashh - I don't understand your reasoning ?
Because this happens every couple of years? it is actually a lot more than that but in any case surely that is a reason to do something?
Other things are dangerous and you cant ban everything - but if some things are needlessly dangerous, why not change ten? loads of things are manufactured with regulations around safety adhered to. the looped cords represent a hanging risk that separate cords and all the other items you mention do not. The number of deaths is significant and there is a simple way to stop them happening.

OP posts:
Felyne · 05/12/2013 12:07

UK power sockets do not need socket covers, they are designed to be safe. Inserting covers can make them dangerous.
www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/

I hate when things like this happen and people just shrug and look for a reason to blame the parents, like they haven't suffered the worst thing already.

FeckOffCupofMulledWine · 05/12/2013 12:11

Socket covers are more dangerous than leaving sockets uncovered on UK plugs

www.fatallyflawed.org.uk

FeckOffCupofMulledWine · 05/12/2013 12:12

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