Manchester blind fitters say they have the answer to stop child cord deaths

By Felicity Moore, Robin Scott, Andrew Cream & Charlotte Duncker

Tragic accidents caused by window blind cords are prominent in the minds of Manchester fitters.

Numerous children have been killed in incidents with blinds and Manchester companies are keen to tackle the safety issues.

Darren Walsh, 34, a fitter for Vision Blinds in Reddish, has said that the company are required to fit ‘cord-tidies’ by law onto the side of blinds in schools and colleges and safety in homes is encouraged.

He said: “When I go into a home with kiddies I’ll always ask if they want them fitted. There’s no extra charge for them.

“Touch wood, we’ve never had any incidents but we are aware obviously of the stories in the news.”

National campaigns have been set up to try and ban loop-cord blinds and to raise awareness of the dangers they carry.

Harrison’s Law is one such campaign, started by the family of three-year-old Harrison Guy Joyce who was strangled by a cord at his home in February 2010.

Scott Joyce, father of Harrison, said: “One child should make the government act on what is a piece of household decoration killing and injuring children.”

Vicky Fraser from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the charity believes that a ban wouldn’t be particularly helpful for families who already have blinds.

 Instead they are aiming to raise awareness of the hazards these cords present.

The exact number of deaths from blind-related accidents is currently unknown. Ms Fraser confirmed that the government have not collected figures since 2002 but five were reported in 2010.

Lee Greenwood owner of Abbey Blinds, Stockport, is keen to stress that people who already have blinds fitted can have parts added to make them safer.

He said: “It’s something that can be done very easily.”