Research indicates that most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children between 16 months and 36 months old, with the majority (more than half) happening at around 23 months.

These toddlers are mobile, but their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed, which makes them more prone to be unable to free themselves if they become entangled.

In addition, toddlers' windpipes have not yet fully developed and are smaller and less rigid than those of adults and older children. This means that they suffocate far more quickly if their necks are constricted.

As with drowning, toddlers can be strangled quickly and quietly by looped cords with carers in close proximity, potentially unaware of what is happening.

To reduce the risk posed by looped cords, including blind cords, cords should be kept out of the reach of children.

Make it safe!

• Install blinds that do not have a cord, particularly in a child's bedroom
  
• Do not place a child's cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window
  
• Pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and kept out of reach
  
• Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
  
• Do not hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on the cot or bed
  
• Don't hang drawstring bags where a small child could get their head through the loop of the drawstring. 

RoSPA does not recommend that cords are cut, even as a short-term solution. It is advisable that any action taken on the blind cord is a permanent one which will take the cord out of reach of children. It is not an expensive task and a limited number of cleats are available to those who need them via the RoSPA website.

Cutting the cord in the wrong place can make the blind inoperable; and it may also lead to one cord becoming a lot longer which increases the risk of entanglement. Cut cords can also become tangled up resulting in the reformation of a loop.

Click the "make it safe" picture on the left to download your FREE pack.