October is Window Covering Safety Month

Poster courtesy of the CPSC.

October is Window Covering Safety Month, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This campaign aims to promote awareness about the dangers that window covering cords can pose to children, particularly infants and toddlers. According to the CPSC, from 2012 to 2017, there were 50 fatalities reported that directly related to strangulation of children by window covering cords.

The commission recommends that all parents replace corded window coverings with cordless versions, but if you are unable to do so, the following recommendations were also made:

  • Ensure that pull cords are as short as possible
  • Keep all cords out of reach of children
  • Move beds, cribs, and all furniture away from windows and window cords
  • Check that cord stops are installed correctly
  • Adjust all cord stops to limit movement of the lift cords inside
  • Permanently anchor continuous loop cords on vertical blinds and drapes to the nearest wall

As of December 2018, window covering manufacturers have the option to comply with the voluntary ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018 standard of non-hazardous cords. Be sure to look for products online or in retail stores that comply with this voluntary standard. 

Liability for a Window Covering Cord Injury

If your child suffered severe injuries or was killed by a window covering cord, you and your family could be owed significant compensation, depending on the circumstances. If the window covering cord had a dangerous design or manufacturing defect that made it particularly hazardous, for example, the manufacturer could be liable for any resulting injuries or deaths. If your child was hurt in someone else’s home, a hotel, place of business, or other premises, the owner might be liable if they were aware of dangerous window covering cords and did nothing to address the hazards or failed to warn you of the dangers.

Because determining liability can be challenging and the other party will likely fight tooth and nail to avoid responsibility, it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney to represent you.

Contact a New York Product Liability Attorney

Was your child hurt by a defective window covering cord? If so, the compassionate and knowledgeable New York product defect lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP want to hear from you. We’ll take decisive action against the person or parties responsible, and we’ll make sure that you get the full and fair compensation your family deserves. Call us at (212) 779-0057 or fill out a contact form to schedule a free consultation today.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What’s in Your Kitchen?  Whoopie Pies, Drinks, Raisins, and Chickpea Salad

What’s in Your Kitchen? MakeFoodSafe.com would like to help you keep your family safe from unsafe foods.  Each week we bring together a list of the current recalls.  Some recalls are issued due to undeclared allergens, which could cause serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if someone sensitive to the product consumes it.  Other recalls are issued due to contamination with harmful material or other health risk.  Check back often and evaluate your fridge, pantry, and shopping list to make sure you can identify which foods to avoid. Stewart’s Shops Corp Recalls Cranberry Apple Refresher Due to Undeclared Allergen Stewarts Shops Corp of Saratoga Springs, New York issued a recall on October 17, 2018 for their approximately 2,300 units of Cranberry Apple Refresher due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if the product is consumed. The recall was initiated after routine quality c
Read more

What Causes Neck and Lower Back Pain After an Accident?

When you’re in a car accident , all too often the damage isn’t limited to your vehicle. The sudden jolt can send shock waves throughout your body. Even a small fender bender packs more than enough punch to seriously impact your body. Your neck and lower back are especially vulnerable from the sudden jerking motion that comes with the sudden stop of a two-ton vehicle. Why Your Spine Is so Vulnerable During an Accident Your spinal cord , which runs from the end of the brain stem to the lower back, is an incredibly complicated structure. It’s also just as delicate. Stretching about 18-inches in length, the spine is divided into four areas, each of which controls the nerve endings of certain parts of your body. Each of the four areas of your spine is responsible for controlling various parts of the body. The cervical region controls the neck area, protects the brain stem and allows for the movement of your head. The thoracic region controls the upper torso and protects crucial orga
Read more

Injury Data Reveals Infrastructure Need for E-Scooter Riders in NY

The uptick in electric scooter riding in New York City has come with a slew of complications, including a rising number of scooter-related injuries . New York City leaders and scooter company officials alike are weighing their options for creating a safer transit environment for these e-scooters. One recent report suggests that the most promising option is to create more third-lane, or bike lane, options for electric scooters. This report, compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), found that most people who are injured in scooter accidents were riding on a sidewalk at the time of their accident. Their research suggests that scooter riders often do not feel safe enough to share the road with cars, so they opt for using sidewalks when bike lanes are not available. While this may keep scooter riders safe from colliding with vehicles, it puts pedestrians who use sidewalks at a greater risk. The data show that three out of every five scooter riders who were injured s
Read more