Blind Cords Safety Campaign

Looped blind and window cords can be dangerous; they can strangle a child and have led to the tragic accidental deaths of

three young children in Staffordshire.

Please take just 10 minutes of your time to read this information: It could help to prevent a tragic death caused by blind cord strangulation.

The majority of parents and carers of children think about the potential risks posed to children in the home and ensure that action is taken to protect them from the risk of accidental injuries. You may, for example, use stair safety gates, plug covers and ensure your medicines and cleaning products are safely stored out of reach, but have you ever considered reducing the risk of strangulation from internal curtain or blind cords?

It can take just 20 seconds for a child to die from strangulation as they struggle to get free. It is therefore extremely important that parents, carers and practitioners working with young children understand the risks and take action to help prevent anymore of these tragic accidents.

ROSPA Blind Cord Safety Campaign

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is currently providing a free ‘Make it Safe’ Pack.

The Make It Safe campaign, of which RoSPA is a part, aims to raise awareness of the potential dangers of looped cords among families with small children.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Safeguarding Children Boards are encouraging all parents, carers and practitioners who work with young children to read the guidance offered and to apply for a ‘Make it Safe’ pack.

The pack includes; a free ‘Make it Safe’ advice leaflet; a ‘Help your child learn how to be safe’ leaflet; a blind cord cleat to help tie blind cords up safely (which comes with fixing instructions); and a blind safety warning tag so you know what to look for when buying new blinds. To apply for this pack please go to the ROSPA website at:

Why do blind cords pose such a risk?

RoSPA advises that research indicates that most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children between 16 months and 36 months old. More than half of these tragic deaths occur at around 23 months old. These toddlers are mobile, but their heads still 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 of adults and older children. This means that they suffocate far more quickly if their necks are constricted. As with drowning, toddlers can be strangled quickly and quietly by looped cords with carers in close proximity, potentially unaware of what is happening.

To reduce the risk posed by looped cords, including blind cords, cords should be kept out of the reach of children.

Make it safe!

Install blinds that do not have a cord, particularly in a child's bedroom
Do not place a child's cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window
Pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and kept out of reach
Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
Do not hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on the cot or bed
Don't hang drawstring bags where a small child could get their head through the loop of the drawstring.

RoSPA: Frequently Asked Questions (please use the links provided)

I'm buying new blinds for my home - what should I look for?

Where can I find further information about blind cord safety?

More blind cord FAQs...

Further information, guidance and videos on blind cord safety can be found on the RoSPA website; or Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board website at:

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‘Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility….’