Don't risk going through the same tragedy as us
Hamish Hutchinson • Published 9 Feb 2012 08:00
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PARENTS Angus and Katie McLaughlin don't want others to go through the anguish they experienced following the tragic death of their daughter Muireann (pictured right), who was accidentally strangled by a blind cord.
FOUR years to the day that his child was strangled by a blind cord a father is urging parents to avoid the same heartbreak.
Muireann McLaughlin was just two-years-old when she died at her family's home in Menstrie.
The toddler was waving goodbye to her grandmother at a bedroom window when she slipped, knocked herself unconscious and fell onto a looped blind cord.
She was found hanging from the blind cord by her father, who was unable to resuscitate her.
Her parents Angus and Katie described her as a "beautiful, happy little girl, who was full of life".
Since 1999 at least 21 children have died in similar tragic circumstances across the UK with almost half of those deaths occurring within the last two years.
Most accidental blind cord deaths happen in a bedroom, involving children aged between 16 and 36 months.
In addition the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) suspects that there are many more unreported near-misses.
This week Angus helped launch a RoSPA safety advice leaflet which has been translated into Gaelic and Polish.
It is part of the Make it Safe campaign which has seen tens of thousands of leaflets already distributed.
Angus said, "Though nothing will ever bring my beautiful daughter back, we can at least try to prevent other families being devastated in the same way, by spreading the word about this 'hidden' hazard.
"The Make it Safe campaign is an important first step in helping to make new blinds safer and in raising awareness among members of the public.
"It's vital that as many people as possible get to read - or hear - about this important initiative."
Muireann died on 5 February 2008. In the days following the tragic accident, her parents called for a change to the manufacturing design of window blinds and curtains to remove looped cords.
While the UK continues to manufacture the lethal design, abroad in countries such as Canada, the USA and Australia these concerns have already been addressed.
The Advertiser launched a campaign 'Ban Loop Cords' which attracted 3500 signatures to a petition and the backing of Ochil and South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks who has continued to press the issue at Westminster.
At Muireann's Fatal Accident Inquiry, Sheriff David Mackie called for a ban on looped cord blinds which he said posed a "deadly risk of strangulation".
He also called for a concerted public campaign to raise awareness of the dangers posed by looped blinds so the toddler's untimely death would not be in vain.
RoSPA has since been working with the UK government, and the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), to help make new blinds safer.
It is hoped that changes to the manufacture and sale of window blinds will take effect within the next 12 months.
Angus said that being involved in the campaign has helped them deal with Muireann's loss.
He said, "It's been horrendously difficult not just for Katie and I but our close family. The pain won't be taken away but at least we are being positive."
He added, "At this time of year when children spend more time indoors because of the cold weather, the susceptibility to this danger is incredible. What's a few hundred pounds to a lifetime of regret and loss? It's worth the extra money to never have looped cords in the house at all."
To reduce the risk of looped blind cords or chains, the Make it Safe campaign advises the following:
*Install blinds that do not have a cord, particularly in a child's bedroom
*Do not place a child's cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window
*Keep pull cords on curtains and blinds short and out of reach
*Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
*Do not hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on the cot or bed
*Do not hang drawstring bags where a small child could get their head through the loop of the drawstring.
Jennifer Henderson, RoSPA Scotland's home safety officer, said, "We're working hard to make it clear to families that looped cords can pose a risk to their youngsters.
"That's why we've helped produce advice leaflets in both Gaelic and Polish so the message can start to be taken into as many different communities as possible."
Check out the RoSPA's campaign at www.rospa.com/blindcords
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 08 Feb 12
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