In a bid to protect young children from being strangled to death by the cords on window blinds, the safety standard governing the types of blind cords was improved in 2009.
The new standards ensure a safer design and manufacture whilst also highlighting warnings and the safety devices that can be used to reduce possible dangers. However, there is a risk that older products within households could still present a danger to children and Trading Standards urge parents to follow a number of simple safety guidelines. These are:
Trading Standards officers from Newcastle City Council have been working hard with local manufacturers to make sure that products are made to the new standard, alongside a publicity campaign which features a business fact sheet and a poster.
Councillor Anita Lower, as the Chair of Safe Newcastle and Executive Member for Regulatory Services commented: "Parents and carers need only make a few simple checks on any pull cords at home to ensure that they are not putting their children's safety at risk.
"The deaths that have occurred are tragic for the families involved and I welcome the work of Trading Standards officers in their steps to ensure that no more fatalities occur and that our children remain safe from harm. The potential dangers are clear to see, and it is very encouraging that suppliers are working together with our Trading Standards officers for a safer Newcastle."
Trading Standards also have a business fact sheet for retailers which can be obtained for free by ringing 0191 211 6121. Copies of the poster are to be sent out to all organisations including nurseries and schools across the City and anyone wishing to get a copy of the poster for their own premises should contact the Trading Standards Service on 0191 211 6121".
View the campaign poster (pdf, 294Kb)