Published: Thursday, 6th March, 2008 12:00
Worldwide support for ban on loop cords
By Hamish Hutchinson
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Muireann's tragic death has prompted people across the world to support our campaign for a ban on loop cords.
THE Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser campaign to outlaw the production of looped cords for window blinds and curtains has attracted worldwide support.
And many local authorities across Scotland are also backing our campaign, along with politicians at Westminster and Holyrood.
Through our online petition people from as far as USA, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Norway and Australia have all signed up and left messages of support and condolence to the McLaughlin family.
Hundreds have signed up on our website at www.alloaadvertiser.com and through the petition printed in last week’s Advertiser.
And the number of people supporting the call for a ban is growing every day.
The petition will be submitted to the Westminster Parliament, calling for the Government to order that looped cords be eliminated in the future production of blinds and curtains.
In support of the campaign, Ochil and South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks this week tabled an Early Day Motion to Westminster calling for looped cords to be banned.
He has also written to Baroness Morgan who has responsibility for the British Standards Institute.
Clackmannanshire Council leader Janet Cadenhead has pledged her support to the campaign and this week the Advertiser contacted the other 31 leaders of Scotland’s local authorities seeking their support.
Council leaders in Shetland, Falkirk, Borders, East Renfrewshire, Perth and Kinross, and Inverclyde have put their weight behind the petition and plan to raise the issue within their own councils.
The Advertiser launched the campaign in response to the tragic death of Menstrie toddler Muireann McLaughlin.
She died last month after becoming entangled in the looped cord of a window blind.
In the USA and Australia these type of looped cords are no longer in production following health and safety studies.
One or two children die each year in the UK in similar tragic circumstances to Muireann.
The McLaughlin family fully supports the Advertiser campaign and Muireann’s parents, Angus and Katie, appeared on national television on Thursday appealing for support.
Advertiser readers can show their support by putting their name to the online petition at our website.
Copies of the petition were also printed in last week’s paper. Further copies of the petition are available from our office at 39 Drysdale Street, Alloa.
Many who have signed our petition say they have cut the cords in their own homes following the tragic death of Muireann.
Lorraine Penney of Cambridge, wrote, “My daughter could have died when she caught her neck in a blind cord at two years old – fortunately I caught her and she only suffered a badly grazed neck.
“I shudder to think what might have happened.”
Lisa Riley, of Wirral, wrote, “I have blinds all around my house and I have looped the cords around window handles out of reach.”
Shelley Clarke, of Kent, wrote, “This accident could so easily have happened to any parent or grandparent of a small child. I have blinds in my house and have looked after five grandchildren over the past 12 years and the thought that I could have gone through such a tragedy is heart stopping.”
Falkirk Council leader Linda Gow, told the Advertiser she hoped to raise the issue at this week’s council meeting, and was seeking a statement of support from the authority.
Ms Gow, who has also signed the online petition, said, “What happened to Muireann was a terrible and tragic accident.
“I hope everyone signing this petition urges their family and friends also to sign so it never happens to another family.”
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