NEW GUIDELINES for parents and childcare providers to minimise the risk to toddlers posed by window blinds have been published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
There have been a number of incidents involving children because of window blinds, with loop cords and chains posing a strangulation risk.
Five young children have been strangled in window-blind cords and chains in Ireland, according to one group campaigning for greater safety controls in the area.
A website, windowblindsafety.ie, was set up in 2009 to promote awareness of the dangers of window-blind cords after Arran Malley, a child from Cork, died after being strangled by the cord of a Venetian blind.
In January last year, Kerry toddler Dean Regan Russell died after his neck became entangled in the loop cord of a roller window blind.
Publishing the new standards, NSAI chief executive Maurice Buckley said: “Product standards are developed to protect and benefit the consumer and safety is a key priority.
“Window blind cords that can form loops pose a serious risk to young children, who can become entangled in the cords when playing near windows or climbing on window sills or furniture.”
The authority said the two safety standards published yesterday go further than European requirements.
One deals with the safety of corded window products and includes guidance for measuring, manufacturing, installation and retrofitting. The authority provides guidance to those that may be involved in the purchasing of internal window blinds, such as Government agencies, childcare centres, schools, libraries and wholesalers.
The other standard is for internal corded window products, which applies to blinds with an accessible cord or chain. It includes honeycomb and pleated blinds, roman shades and other similar products.
The authority also issued simple advice for parents, noting “cords ending in a loop are particularly risky”. The advice includes:
* Cutting the cord to get rid of any loops and replace them with tassels.
* Cords should end at least 1.6m (5.2ft) off the ground so children can’t reach them.
* Never place a cord near a child’s cot, bed, playpen or high chair.
* Parents should also keep sofas, chairs, tables and shelves away from children to prevent them from climbing up and reaching cords.
Mr Buckley said the authority was “currently undertaking a number of proactive steps to ensure that Irish manufacturers and suppliers of window blinds are made aware of the current revised standard”.
Further details at nsai.ie