The dangers posed to young children by loose curtain and blind cords and chains are highlighted in a new Consumer Affairs Victoria safety campaign, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, said today.

Mr Jasper said it is tragic that some 15 Australian children have died in strangling incidents related to curtain and blind cords since the early 1990s, with two young Victorian children dying in August and September last year.

This safety campaign plans to raise awareness of the dangers of unsafe curtain and blind cords through the key message: loose curtain and blind cords can strangle children – keep them out of reach so children are out of danger, he said.

All curtains and blinds installed in Victorian since December 31 2008 have had to comply with mandatory safety standards, but many homes still have unsafe cords, installed before the standard came into force.

Mr Jasper noted that, in one instance prior to 2009, a three year old girl had died after climbing onto a bed and playing with incorrectly secured loop cords whilst her mother was hanging out some washing. The little girl managed to slip the cord over her head before slipping from the bed and could not be revived when her mother found her, just minutes later.

In another case, a nine month old child had been placed in a cot for a sleep. On waking, the baby began playing with looped cords alongside the cot, and they became entangled around the baby’s neck. Again, the child could not be revived when found.

It is important to check for loose or looped cords or chains a child can reach from the floor or by climbing on furniture, tie cords out of reach and move any furniture children might climb on, he said.

Free safety kits are available from Consumer Affairs Victoria, on www.consumer.vic.gov.au or by phone on 1300 55 81 81.