The inner or outer cord on the window covering can pose a strangulation risk when you children play with them and become inadvertently entangled.

While out pull cords can pose a danger, many accidental deaths caused by the inner cords that run through horizontal blinds.

Newer redesigned window coverings and repaired, older window coverings can reduce the risk of strangulation, but not fully eliminated the hazard. Long, dangling window cords and chains still pose a strangulation hazard for young children. A parent should never tie window blind cords or chains together because the knot creates a new loop. This can still allow a young child to become entangled.

To help reduce the danger of window covering cords to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these safety tips:

• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords.

• Keep all window cords out of the reach of children. Keep tasseled pull cords short, and continuous-loop cords permanently anchored to the floor or wall.

• Lock cords into position when lowering horizontal coverings or shades to guard against inner-cord hazards.

• Repair window coverings, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with retrofit cord-repair devices, or replace them with updated models.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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