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Pediatric window-cord strangulations in the United States, 1981-1995
1Office of Compliance, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Window-covering cords caused 183 pediatric strangulation deaths in the US from 1981-1995. Most victims were under 3 years old, with venetian blind cords being the primary hazard.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Safety
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health
Background:
- Window-covering cords pose a significant strangulation risk to young children.
- Previous safety standards have not fully mitigated this hazard.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of pediatric deaths caused by window-covering cords in the US.
- To identify risk factors associated with these fatal injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of death certificate and incident files from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (1981-1995).
- Focus on children aged 1 month to 8 years experiencing unintentional traumatic asphyxiation from window-covering cords.
Main Results:
- 183 fatal window-cord strangulations were reported between 1981 and 1995.
- The mortality rate was 0.14 per 100,000 children under 3 years old annually.
- 93% of victims were 3 years old or younger; venetian-type horizontal window covering pull cords caused 86% of injuries.
Conclusions:
- Window-covering cords remain a substantial strangulation hazard for children.
- Product design modifications and enhanced parental education are crucial to prevent these fatal home injuries.
Objective:
To document the prevalence of pediatric asphyxial death from window-covering cords in the United States and identify associated risk factors.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of existing death certificate and incident files compiled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Setting:
United States, 1981 through 1995.
Patients:
Children aged 1 month to 8 years suffering unintentional traumatic asphyxiation from a window-covering cord.
Results:
A total of 183 fatal window-cord strangulations were reported for the years 1981 through 1995, representing a mortality rate of 0.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.18) per 100000 persons (< or =3 years old) per year in the United States. Ninety-three percent of victims were 3 years of age or younger. Pull cords on venetian-type horizontal window coverings accounted for 86% of documented injuries. Infant victims were more likely to become entangled while put down for a nap and toddlers were more likely to be suspended by the cord after falling or jumping from a height (P=.002). Window coverings remained anchored and did not undrape when substantial weight was suspended in the draw-cord loop.
Conclusions:
Window-covering cords represent a substantial strangulation hazard compared with other potentially harmful household products that were modified based on voluntary standards to mitigate the risk of injury. Product design modifications and parental education will be necessary to avert this type of fatal home injury.