Blind and Curtain Cords

Blinds and curtains are common items in many Canadian homes and businesses. Babies and young children who have access to looped or long blind and curtain cords can strangle or become entangled.

Since 1986, Health Canada has received 28 reports of strangulation deaths and 22 near-fatal incidents linked to these products. You can take precautions to make sure this type of tragedy does not happen in your home.

Safety Tips

• Keep blind and curtain cords high and out of reach of children.
• Whether the blind is up or down, make sure children cannot reach the cords. Tie them out of reach.
• Never put a crib, bed, high chair or playpen near a window or a patio door where a child can reach the blind or curtain cord and strangle.
• Do not put sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases near windows: this will prevent children from climbing up to reach the blind or curtain cord.
• Cut the cords short when blinds are fully down or when curtains are fully closed.
• Remove the loop in the cord by cutting the cord in half. Then, put plastic tassels or a break-away device at the end of the cords.
• For vertical blinds, install tie-downs. You can buy these devices at hardware or department stores. When installing tie-downs, follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the product. Make sure that the tie-down device is securely attached to the wall beside the window.
• Wrap the cord around a cleat or 2 nails or screws that you have attached to the wall near the top of the blinds or curtains, high and out of the reach of children.
• Use a clip, clothes pin, or a big twist tie to keep the cord high and out of the reach of children.

For more information

Read more about the dangers of blind and curtain cords, and how you can modify them to reduce these hazards:

• Health Canada Calls for Stronger Safety Standards for Window Coverings
• Out of Reach - Window Covering Cord Safety Demonstration Video
  Download a 3-minute video on reducing the hazards posed by blind and curtain cords.
• Out of Reach - Window Cling
  This window "sticker" can be placed on windows, reminding people to keep cords high and out of reach.
• Danger! Children Can Strangle on Blind and Curtain Cords (Pamplet)
  This pamplet uses both instructions and pictures to show how to tie up blind and curtain cords so they are high and out of reach of children.
• Danger! Children Can Strangle on Blind and Curtain Cords (Poster)
  This poster demonstrates how to tie up blind and curtain cords so they are high and out of reach of children.

General information about the safe use of children's products:

• Is Your Child Safe?
  A practical guide to help parents keep their children safe and avoid common childhood hazards.
• Safety with Radar
  An activity booklet for children, highlighting key safety messages.
• Child and Youth Injury in Review, 2009 Edition - Spotlight on Consumer Product Safety
  A report on injuries among young Canadians, with a focus on injuries related to consumer products (in the second half of the report).
• Information for Shoppers of Second-hand Products
  This guide helps shoppers to be aware of potential hazards that second-hand products may pose.
• For Industry and Professionals
  An index page providing information on related guidance and regulations intended for industry and professional audiences.