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Across the country, there have been numerous
accidental deaths of small children caused by strangulation
in window covering cords.
In fact, the situation has become so
serious that the United
States Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a nationwide warning regarding
potential strangulation deaths. These deaths occur
typically when small children inadvertently become
entangled and subsequently strangle on the pull cords
of window coverings. Such accidental deaths have
been known to occur even when a child is left alone
in a room for only a few brief moments.
There have been several deaths occurring
recently, including one here in California.
Obviously, in addition to the horrible
prospect of this type of accident occurring on your
property, there is also a very real concern involving
liability for either yourself or your insurance company.
Some of the largest
window covering manufacturers in the country, such
as American Drapery and Blinds
of Hayward, California; are working in close conjunction
with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards to provide "child-safe" blinds.
For example, completely "child-safe" verticals come with: 1) convenient and easy baton operated
draw mechanisms; 2) no cumbersome and potentially
dangerous cords or chains that dangle down; 3) long-lasting
durable mechanical components offering the added
benefit of absolute minimum maintenance. Finally,
be sure to only purchase the type with an all-steel,
not aluminum, headrail for a stronger and longer-lasting
vertical.
Certainly, the United
States Safety Commission (CPSC) would not issue a needless nationwide warning
nor recommend frivolous improvements.
Instead, this is a real problem, involving
real tenants, with very real liability for the apartment
owner or property management company.
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