'Wrapped it around her neck': Mum's warning after terrifying incident with blind cord
By Kate Kachor|
A mother has shared a chilling reminder about the potential choking hazard of blind cords and young children after a close call at home.
Emily Tegeler felt compelled to share her story online as a warning to other parents.
"Ava was playing on the porch yesterday and was messing with the blind strings," Tegeler wrote in a post shared to Australian child safety group Tiny Hearts Education.?
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"She said she wrapped it around her neck and then tried to get out without unwrapping it. She wasn't stuck, was able to breathe, talk and was never in distress. Thank God."
Tegeler, who said she experienced the "worst mum guilt", later discovered Ava felt pain in her neck after the incident.
"She never told me what she did, just mentioned later that her neck hurt and I didn't think twice about it. It wasn't until someone else noticed it that we were aware of the mark," Tegeler wrote.
"I was so scared and sick to my stomach. I just want parents be aware of how quick something like this can happen."
"I don't even want to think about what could've happened. I'm just so grateful she is okay. We explained to her the dangers of doing that."
Tegeler said all the blind strings are now wrapped up and they are buying blinds that don't have cords.
"I hugged her so tight last night. I was so scared and sick to my stomach. I just want parents be aware of how quick something like this can happen."?
In response to her story, many other parents shared their own experiences.
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"Last week my son was messing around with my handbag which was hanging off a bedroom door handle," one mother wrote. "He got tangled up in it with it around his neck. I didn't even think of it being a possibility. So scary"
"A friend lost her little brother this way over 20 years ago. He was nearly two," commented another.
"My doggy also got trapped in similar way. Kids and pets can get in danger," a third person wrote.
Others also pointed out that if you are living in a rental property the owner must ensure all blinds do not have a child safety risk.?
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Tiny Hearts shared the sombre statistic that unsecured blind or curtain cords claim the lives of one to two Australian children every year.
"Parents, this is your reminder to secure the curtain and blind cords in your home," the organisation said in a caption accompanying Tegeler's post.
"In Victoria, you can get a curtain/blind cord safety kit sent out to you for free. Check with your government to see if this applies to your state too."
Here are some quick and simple safety tips from KidSafe Victoria.
- Check all rooms in your house for any blinds or curtains with long cords that are either loose or looped. This includes any cords that are within children's reach at floor level or near furniture they can climb on.
- Secure any loose or looped cords with cleats or tension devices จC these can be purchased from your local curtain and blind retailer or hardware store.
- Do not put furniture such as cots, beds, highchairs, playpens, couches, chairs, tables or bookshelves near a window where children can reach the blind or curtain cord.
- When installing new blinds and curtains, make sure you or the installer secures any loose or looped cords immediately.
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