IRVINE : Window Blinds’ Cord Suffocates 16-Month-Old
A 16-month-old baby suffocated Sunday after her head became entangled in the dangling cord of a Venetian blind, police said.
The infant apparently was playing alone, and the blinds were next to her crib, Sgt. Jim Broomfield said.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. July 27, 1995 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday July 27, 1995 Orange County Edition Metro Part B Page 2 Orange County Focus Desk 1 inches; 32 words Type of Material: Correction
Toddler death--A story Tuesday about a 16-month-old child who suffocated after becoming entangled in a Venetian blind cord incorrectly described the accident. The child crawled atop a toy box to reach the cord, authorities said.
Authorities, who declined to identify the family, believe the child’s head was caught in the loop of the cord.
“Once that happens the panic sets in and the child blacks out,” Broomfield said, “causing the body to pull down on the cord and suffocate the child.”
“It is a common accident,” he said. “We have seen this in the past.”
Broomfield cautioned parents to keep long, loose items away from children because “they have the tendency to put things around their neck in play.”
A child can easily become suffocated when playing with seemingly harmless items, such as neckties and cords from lamps, Broomfield said.
“No parent is going to be able to watch their child 100% of the time,” he added.
“They need to be more cognizant of the household products around and available to their children. It takes only one or two minutes and the child is in grave danger.”
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