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Shocking video highlights deadly danger for young children in the homes of your elderly loved ones.

The clip, released by the Public Health Agency, shows a happy family having the grandparents over for the afternoon. The toddler wanders away to play as his father shows the grandfather photos on his smartphone.

In the 60 seconds the mother needs to use the microwave the toddler becomes entangled in the blinds, shares Daily Mail.

‘It is impossible to watch over our children 24 hours a day so it is essential that we take time to make the home environment as safe as possible.

‘As the video highlights it can take as little as second for a toddler to lose their life after becoming entangled in a window blind cord or chain.

‘Simple steps – such as securing cords and chains with safety devices and keeping furniture away from windows so that children cannot climb on them – can help prevent deaths.

‘Don’t leave it until it is too late – taking simple steps to make our homes safer for children is the best way to prevent accidents.’

While in Australia there are strict regulations on blind cord safety, it is an important reminder when visiting elderly friends and family to check window furnishings and make sure your child will be safe during your visit.

Yes, I understand in this particular clip it is the home of the young family in question, BUT for me this was like a flash back to visiting aunts and uncles homes. Always be aware of the environment your child is playing in.

Safety tips via Kidsafe

New blinds must be safe by design or supplied with the appropriate child safety devices, which must be installed.

This means where there is a loop present or where one could be created, a safety device must be installed at the point of manufacture.

These safety devices either break up the pressure or the tension of the cord or chain, or provide the facility to store them out of reach.

Professional installers must fit these devices.

•Check all the rooms in your house for any blinds or curtains with long cords that are either loose or looped. This includes any cords that are within children’s reach at floor level or near furniture they can climb on.

•Secure any lose or looped cords with cleats or tension devices – these can be purchased from your local curtain and blind retailer or hardware store.

•Do not put furniture such as cots, beds, highchairs, playpens, couches, chairs, tables or bookshelves near a window where children can reach the blind or curtain cord.

•When installing new blinds and curtains, make sure you or the installer secures any loose or looped cords immediately.

Related story – Toddler dies in terrible home accident that could have been prevented

Share your comments below.

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  • you think that these would just be removed from designs all together

    Reply

  • A friend of min saw her won go around the corner, and 30 seconds later he was in the pool drowning. It can happen so fast.

    Reply

  • It’s amazing how much kids can get up to in a few moments. My twins escapades while I duck for a quick pee reminds me frequently how fast they are. I’m glad I saw a similar story a couple of years ago (sadly a real life video) and made sure our new blinds were kidfriendly. Definitely a little known silent killer in our homes

    Reply

  • This is a very powerful clip and one that all people need to see. Thanks.

    Reply

  • You have to consider all possibilities when you have a little one.

    Reply

  • So scary !! And indeed we go to the toilet, microwave or empty the washing machine and something bad can happen !

    Reply

  • I currently have my cord sitting on top of my entertainment stand because the clip it was installed into broke. I have to get a new bracket. One problem is they are only clear plastic(?). It was installed by a professional blind installer and it think it sahould have been put higher than it is. I was told it is legal height. Mine is low enough that a small toddler can easily reach the clip. I want the new one put a bit higher. I have a not quite 2 y.o. and I am sure she could reach it if she decided to.

    Reply

  • You need to be watching your young children,you just don’t know what will happen.

    Reply

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