Parents are being reminded of the dangers of looped blind cords, as part of Child Safety Week (21-27 June).
Trading standards officers from the Isle of Wight COuncil will be circulating information packs to children's centres offering advice to parents about how to make blind cords safe. Safety laws have been tightened to prevent instances of young children becoming fatally strangled. The new standards ensure a safer design and manufacture while also highlighting warnings and the safety devices that can be used to reduce possible dangers. But there is a risk that older products within households across the Island could still present a danger. We're being advised to cut cords to get rid of the loop. Think about using tassels instead. Make sure cords are at least 1.6 metres above the ground, so children cannot reach them. Never put beds, cots or playpens within reach of an operating cord.