PARENTS are being
warned to protect young children from the risks of
being strangled by window blind cords. Two
information sessions will be held this Thursday in
Derry.
A representative from Home Accident Protection
explained: "Thousands of homes in Northern Ireland
may contain a potentially lethal trap for children,
especially those under the age of three."
Research shows that most accidental deaths involving
blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in
children between 16 months and 36 months, with the
majority (more than half) happening around 23
months.
These toddlers are mobile, but their heads 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
adults and older children. This means that they
suffocate far more quickly if their necks are
constricted.
Since 1999 at least 22 children have died in Britain
as a result of blind cords and it is thought there
have been many more near misses which have gone
unreported.
Home Accident Prevention week runs until this
Friday, June 1 and the theme this year is ‘Raising
Awareness on Blind Cord Safety’. The information
sessions are available at Smyths Toy Store, Strand
Road, Derry, from 10am-12.30pm and Lisnagelvin
Sports Centre from 2pm-5pm. A number of safety
devices will be handed out on a first-come,
first-served basis. |
