The Commissioner for Consumer Protection has issued a warning that free-hanging cords from window coverings like curtains and blinds have been responsible for the deaths and injuries of many Australian children.
The Commissioner, Lanie Chopping said with children spending more time at home, the recent death of a two-year-old girl in Queensland was a grim reminder for parents and carers to be vigilant of the dangers inside the home and holiday accommodation.
“Young children often like to climb onto furniture to look out of a window, so if they can reach the blind or curtain cords, they may quickly become entangled in them, lose their footing and suffer strangulation or serious injuries,” Ms Chopping said.
“All looped cords must be designed and installed so as to remain firmly attached to a wall or other structure when subjected to a tension force of 70N applied in any direction for 10 seconds, and to prevent the possibility of a cord forming a loop 220mm or longer at a height of less than 1.6 metres above floor level.”
She said strong penalties applied for those who broke the law, including fines of up to $220,000 for an individual or $1.1 million for a business or body corporate.
“So whether at home or on holiday, you should check every room to make sure loose or looped blind cords are fixed out of reach so that children are not in danger,” Ms Chopping said.
“It is also important to make sure that children can’t reach blind cords from their cot, high-chair or other furniture.”
Ms Chopping said that when installing new blinds or curtains, a tie-down/cleat should be used that is not easy to remove from the wall but would come out if significant weight was applied.
“Safer still, consider doing away with cords altogether by opting for wands instead,” she said.
