They don’t look dangerous, but the cords on window blinds and shades can be deadly when they get wrapped around a child’s neck. Almost every month, on average, another child dies from window cord strangulation, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The industry has said that voluntary manufacturing standards and its own educational programs were enough to reduce the death toll, but now the government thinks that may not be enough. The CPSC voted unanimously on Wednesday to start the rulemaking process that could eventually lead to mandatory safety standards for all new window coverings.
