Older Window Coverings Pose Strangulation Risk to Children

A recent release by the Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that over 200 children were strangled
between 1991 and 2004 from cords and chains on old window coverings. Most strangulation deaths involved the outer pull cords. Consumers are urged to repair or replace window coverings purchased before 2001.

Outer pull cord deaths typically involve children ranging in age from 7 months to 6 years. Inner cord deaths typically involve children ranging in age from 9 months to 20 months who are placed in cribs or playpens located within reach of window coverings. In all cases, the children became inadvertently entangled and died from strangulation

Consumers possessing window coverings purchased before 2001 can obtain a free repair kit from the Window Covering Safety Council’s Web site at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling (800) 506-4636.