Breathe easy
He would have been much to young and would have been much to weak to release himself.
Coroner's report, blind cord strangulation
Such a scary thought that something could stop your child breathing. But these steps to stop that happening are simple and make sense.
Window blinds
It can take just 15 seconds for a toddler to lose consiousness if a blind cord is caught around their neck. and they can die in just two to three minutes.
- fit a cleat hook or tensioner to keep blind cords and chains safely away and always use them, new blinds should come with these
- consider cord free blinds for children's rooms
- remember children may climb and get higher than you think, move bedroom furniture away from cords and chains
- make sure the cords on the back of Roman blinds are connected using a device that breaks under pressure
Sleeping and slings
Babies can be suffocated by things they can't push away.
- a clear cot is a safe cot, avoid duvets, pillows and cot bumpers
- don't sleep on the sofa with your babyas it increases their chances of suffocation massively
- if you're exhausted or have been drinking or smoking, or if they are premature or low birth weight, don't sleep with your baby in your bed
- follow the T.I.C.K.S advice for slings or carriers www.babyslingsafety.co.uk
Nappy sacks
Young babies naturally grasp things and pull them to their mouths, but aren't able to pull them away. They can suffocate on flimsy nappy sacks.
- store nappy sacks well out of reach of babies
- never store nappy sacks under the cot mattress
Choking
Babies and young children are still learning to chew, swallow and breathe in the right order. There's no sound to warn you. But there are simple ways to stop it happening.
- don't prop a baby's bottle up to feed them
- cut round food like grapes, tomatoes or big blueberries in half lengthways or quarters, not just across
- cut hard food like carrots, apples, sausages and cheese into thin strips, and chop nuts up small
- avoid popcorn, marshmallows and hard round sweets like mini eggs or boiled sweets
- put small parts from older children's toys out of reach
- watch the chokeables film for first aid advice www.sja.org.uk/thechokeables