Blind cords

[NoRegrets123]

We got some new blinds last year. DS was only teeny tiny at the time and we neither of us knew how to use a drill, so we didn't bother securing the blind cords to the wall with the little hooks that came with them.

DS is now 16 months and whilst he's not yet tall enough to reach the blind cords I am worried he might climb on things and be able to reach them.

I say we should either learn to use the drill or I can get someone around to do it (we are not short of money and I'm the one who works if that makes a difference). DH says he's sure no children have ever died from blind cords (although a quick Google shows how wrong he is) and by the time DS is tall enough to reach them he'll be like 5 years old so we shouldn't bother and should just take the little safety devices off.

AIBU to ignore DH and think he's being an absolute idiot about this?

It’s a 5 min job, no skill required, it’s yr dc life at risk. Why are you waiting. Get it sorted now! Even if he never goes near the cord, you don’t take stupid risks like this. Those bits are there for a reason not to be ignored.
Afix them ASAP

It's not hard to use a basic drill and is something I think you should both learn, really! And yes, definitely do the cords. It's a five-min job. Is your furniture secured to the wall? Stuff like bookcases, chest of drawers?

Show your husband the recent thread in bereavement. Get rid of the cords.

Use a command strip hook rather than drilling. They stick on instead and then you can loop the cord up over it

Cut the cord so there is no loop or buy as sticky hook and use that.

It’s honestly a super easy job. He might be 5 when he can reach them from the floor but I’ve known toddlers who think “don’t touch” or anything out of reach is a challenge that must be conquered. The other option if you’re really lazy is tying them in a bunch right up at the top of the window after every use.

Dp made the same face about those safety catches for flat pack drawers, showed him a video clip of how easily toppled they are now they’re mounted properly.

Learn how to use the drill. Ignore him.

Is your furniture secured to the wall? Stuff like bookcases, chest of drawers?

Yes, the stuff in DS's room anyway (my Dad helped with that, but he doesn't live nearby). We don't have the wardrobe in our room drilled in but it's got such a large base I think it would be very difficult to pull it over although I am half-tempted to anyway just to be safe (he never goes in there at the moment unsupervised but I know things will change as he gets older).

He is foolish obviously. Many dc have died like this.

Re using the drill - I’m not sure why everyone is dismissing this as a basic job. The sheer amount of crap drilling in homes everywhere proves otherwise. It depends on the walls - if they are modern hollow ones, it isn’t so easy. You either want a self driver (ie screws in with no drill) or you need a butterfly clip style screw to grip against the back of the hollow wall. Neither of these will have been supplied and there are loads of sizes. You will have been supplied with a basic screw which isn’t suitable for all types of wall. And doing this for several blinds will take ages, you might f it up and have holes everywhere etc.
Personally, I would get someone professional in to do it. Call up a blind/curtain shop and ask if they can send someone. They’ll be able to do a good, secure job very quickly.

Of course children have died from blind cords!! When my son was a toddler I knew someone from our NCT group who died at 2 years old from a blind cord wrapping around his neck. You cannot risk it, it happens very, very quickly.
Cut the cord if you can't be bothered to do anything else with it, or pay someone to come in and drill it for you. You cannot risk your child's life!!

It needs sorting definitely.

Your husband is an idiot. I would just get someone in to do it, that way you know it is done right.

Mine came with hooks that have sticky backs on, no drilling required

@zasknbg Yes, I suppose you're right. I'm just spoiled I guess as DH is incredibly handy and knows exactly what he's doing so it is always a five-minute job in our house! He has a screw for every occasion! I'm happy using a drill but he does usually sort the screws out beforehand.

There was a recent, heartbreaking thread from someone whose child had died from an unsecured blind cord. Get it sorted ASAP.

He'll be fine hun. Just give him some nappy sacks to play with to distract him, or leave him unsupervised in the bath. 🤔

Here is the thread - perhaps you could show your husband.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/bereavement/3817839-raising-awareness-in-memory-off-my-little-girl

Just cut the cords...we cut all the cords in the house when DS was 1. Makes no difference to using them x

A friend's 18month old son died from strangulation by a blind cord. They were in the garden for about 10mins whilst he was playing inside - or so they thought.
There were about 12 adults in the house and no one noticed.
Your husband is bring an idiot, but in all honesty how do you need to learn how to use a drill? Put it in place and press. That's just an excuse. If you can use MN online, you can watch a DIY video on YouTube

my firends niece died from a blind cord. They thought is was out of reach. She was 18 months old and they had put her down for a nap. came back to find her strangled.
Please secure them out of reach.

Your husband is bring an idiot, but in all honesty how do you need to learn how to use a drill? Put it in place and press. That's just an excuse. If you can use MN online, you can watch a DIY video on YouTube

It's more about using the right drill bit and screw etc for the type of wall.

Mine are chains with safety breaks and actually come apart annoyingly easily for tidiness but small price to pay for saving a child’s life

Just screw them into the window frame, you only need a screwdriver.

Do you have to use a drill? Don't you just tap the pins in? Or use Gorilla Glue? Or Command hook things? Or chop them off?

Whatever you do it TODAY. I remember seeing a YouTube clip of a family sitting at the table and in the background a child had the blind cord round his neck and was choking/hanging.

My friend's child died from getting caught in blind cords, you're husband couldn't be more wrong. Do not risk it. It's a 2 minute job!!!