Second child in a week dies in Australia after getting tangled in blind cord
The 15-month-old girl was found choking on the cord about 6.25pm at a home on Hillcrest Road, Quakers Hill.
Paramedics and a CareFlight doctor worked to resuscitate the child before taking her to Westmead Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, where she later died.
Last Thursday, a 16-month-old girl in Hornsby died after becoming entangled in a cord while she slept in her cot.
And in August last year, 18-month-old Jack Mackay, from Mallabula, north of Newcastle, also died when he was caught up in blind cords.
KidSafe executive officer Christine Erksine said parents were not always aware of the dangers posed by blind cords.
“It’s just one of those horrible accidents that can happen,’’ Ms Erskine said. ‘‘It’s just something you wouldn’t be aware of.
“One of the issues is in smaller rooms, there’s not much choice about where to put furniture, so you may put the cot against the window for light and space.
‘‘We suggest that cots and bedding are away from a window. And you have blinds and cords that meet the new standards.’’
In 2010, the government introduced mandatory standards for blinds, stating that manufacturers had to include a warning label about cords on the packaging and attached to the cord itself.
Blinds also have to now come with instructions on how to install cords to prevent child injuries.
At least 11 children died in Australia between 2001 and 2008 after being caught in blind cords, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said.
It recommends tying cords out of reach of children. The ACCC has put together an information sheet for parents on blind cord safety.
Detectives from Quakers Hill Local Area Command are investigating Tuesday’s incident.
A post mortem examination will be conducted to determine how the child died.