Aaron O’Connell

Another child has died in the UK as a result of strangulation in window blind cords.

This bring to ten the number of fatalities in the United Kingdom since the beginning of 2010 and 21 since 1999. It’s clear from these statistics that the regularity of these terrible tragedies is increasing despite the concerted efforts of the BBSA (The British Blinds and Shutters Association) with their Make It Safe campaign.

Three year-old Evie Middleton was found in a collapsed state at her home on last Friday afternoon.

Paramedics were unable to revive Evie and she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

This latest death highlights the need for greater awareness of window blind safety.

Consumer advocates, regulators want exposed cords eliminated to save children’s lives

By Ellen Gabler Chicago Tribune reporter

26 December 2011

A fight to make window blinds safer for children is growing more contentious after manufacturers of the common household product have ignored demands from federal regulators to eliminate exposed cords on window blinds and shades.
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Aaron O’Connell

I read an article yesterday where the famous Wall Street Journal criticised the Consumer Product safety Commission of America’s push for safer window blinds.

 In it’s article in the opinion section of yesterday’s paper, the Journal attacked the government’s regulatory power. The headline read “A Rule of Blind Injustice: The new regulatory standard for household products is zero risk”

 The Journal argued that the CPSC’s initiative to “eliminate the hazard” posed to children by window blind cords is a step too far when only “about 12 children a year die in accidents with window blinds”. (more…)

Alice Hutton – Cambridge Newspapers – 26 October 2011

Emily Warner

A toddler has been left brain dead after she accidentally hanged herself from her window blind cord.

It was only by chance that Jamie Warner found his daughter Emily unconscious in her bedroom.

Jamie, 30, went upstairs to talk to his son, James, 4, about making too much noise after the pair had been put to bed, when he discovered the 2-year-old’s seemingly lifeless body in the room next door.

Emily’s family spoke to the News to help stop something similar happening to others.

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Excerpt from Irish Examiner 7th October 2011 – Arlene Harris

Since 1998, ten Irish toddlers have been strangled by window blind cords. The most recent, Dean Partick Regan Russell, whose inquest was heard last month, once again highlighted the need for stricter safety regulations and a ban for certain types of corded blinds.
But while retail outlets are obliged to comply with European safety standards, many shops are passing off unsafe merchandise to unsuspecting parents.
Aaron O’Connell spent 25 years in the industry and founded a website – www.windowblindsafety.ie – offering vital information on all the latest safety regulations.
“Research has shown that most accidental deaths involving blinds happen in bedrooms to children between 16 and 36 months. Over half of these accidents occur when the chils is around 23 months” he says.
These facts are shocking, but O’Connell says if the Government works in accordance with the manufacturers to make te product safer and enlighten parents to potential dangers, many of these tragic accidents could be avoided.
Before buying blinds, parents should ask the following questions of the retailer:
Does the product meet the safety requirements of EN13120?
Is a warning notice attached?
Is documentation relating to safe installation, use and maintenance provided?
Is a safety device provided and can it be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions?
Can the supplier demonstrate the safety device?

Making existing blinds safe:
Keep all cords and chains out of reach of children – ending at least 1.5m above the ground.
Install relevant safety devices
Don’t tie cords together
Move furniture away from windows with cord or chain operated blinds.
The inner cords in venetian and pleated blinds and the rear cords in roman blinds are also strangulation risk so fit appropriate safety devices.
For more advice visit www.windowblindsafety.ie

27 September 2011

National Consumer Agency Notice

These blinds pose a risk of strangulation as the cord on the blinds is longer than the permitted levels.

The product was sold in Heatons and Michael Guiney’s stores in Ireland since 2008.

The product in question is a Scallop Edge Roller Blind available in cream, natural and white, in sizes 2ft, 3ft, 4ft, 5ft and 6ft. This is a roller blind with a scallop edge border on the bottom of the blind; the blind is operated by a beaded chain cord.

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