Advisory
2003-85
November 17, 2003
For immediate release
Health Canada reminds Canadians about the potential hazards associated with window blind and curtain cords
OTTAWA - Health Canada is reminding parents and caregivers about the danger that blind and curtain cords pose to young children.
Since 1989, Health Canada has become aware of 22 fatalities involving young children that have been linked to blind or curtain cords and chains. Moreover, 17 near-miss incidents, involving young children, have also been reported to the department.
Health Canada strongly urges Canadians to keep cords out of the reach of young children by cutting the cords as short as possible and tying up the remaining lengths. Parents and caregivers may also install safety devices which are available at hardware stores or places that sell curtains and blinds. These safety devices either automatically retract the cords, allow them to be secured out of reach, or automatically divide a single looped cord into two separate cords to reduce the chance of a child becoming entangled in the loop. Additionally, cribs, children's beds and playpens should never be placed near windows or patio doors because there is a risk that window-covering cords will dangle into these areas. The same applies to bookcases, sofas, chairs or other furniture as children may climb on these items and gain access to the window-covering cords.
It is also important to be especially vigilant when visiting family and friends, or anywhere else where window blind or curtain cords are present, because there have been cases of "visiting" children who became entangled in cords and died from strangulation.
Newly manufactured blinds have attachments on the pull cords that prevent the cords from forming a loop when pulled. However, older window-covering products that are already installed in homes across Canada will not have this safety feature. Therefore, Health Canada continues to encourage parents and caregivers to immediately keep the cords out of reach of young children by cutting them as short as possible and tying up the remaining lengths. Or, alternatively, parents may purchase any of the above-mentioned safety kits from retail outlets or they may also request a free kit (containing cord stops, tassels, tie-down devices and a safety brochure with modification instructions) by contacting the Window Covering Safety Council at 1-800-506-4636 or by visiting their web site at  www.windowcoverings.org.
For more information on window blind and curtain cord safety, please see our web site at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca or contact the nearest Health Canada Product Safety Office listed below:
- Burnaby (604) 666-5003
- St. John's (709) 772-4050
- Edmonton (780) 495-2626
- Longueuil (450) 646-1353
- Calgary (403) 292-4677
- Montréal (514) 283-5488
- Saskatoon (306) 975-4028
- Québec (418) 648-4327
- Winnipeg (204) 983-5490
- Moncton (506) 851-6638
- Toronto (416) 973-4705
- Halifax (902) 426-8300
- Hamilton (905) 572-2845
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Photograph of product
Media Inquiries:
Carole Saindon/ Margot Geduld
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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