Parents go to great lengths to keep their children safe. Poisonous cleaning chemicals are stored out of a child's reach, gates are stretched across stairs, and safety latches are installed on cabinets—yet, even in the best-babyproofed homes, miniblinds still pose a strangulation danger. The attorneys at Carey, Danis & Lowe have helped families nationwide who have suffered as a result of miniblind accidents.

Before 1994, a miniblind's outer pull cord was one continuous loop. For infants and toddlers, the loop could—and did—become a noose. Between 1991 and 2000, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 160 reports of children strangling on the outer pull cord. But that number, according to a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association, is incorrect: The number of deaths resulting from miniblind strangulation is actually much higher because almost half of these deaths were not reported to the CPSC.

In 1995, the CPSC announced a voluntary recall and retrofit program. Miniblind makers agreed to redesign the outer cord to eliminate the loop. They also agreed to provide free repair kits to miniblind owners. But the repair kits did not solve the problem, and children continued to die.

In 1999, the Consumer Product Safety Commission discovered that the outer cord was not the only strangulation hazard: Children were also dying in accidents involving the inner cord used to raise the slats of a blind. Between 1991 and 2000, the CPSC received 16 reports of children strangling on the inner cord. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 17 months. Every one of the babies was in a crib or playpen placed next to a window covered by a miniblind.

Another voluntary recall and retrofit was announced in 2000. This time, the window-covering industry agreed to design the miniblinds with an attachment making it impossible for the inner cord to form a loop when pulled by a child, and yet another ineffective repair kit was offered to the public.

Even after two voluntary recalls, miniblinds continue to pose a hazard. Miniblinds that were subject to the voluntary recall continue to be sold—and manufacturers refuse to sell a cordless blind even though the design for such a product exists.

If you have a loved one who has been injured or died as a result of an accident involving a miniblind, contact Carey, Danis & Lowe. We can help. Carey, Danis & Lowe is a national law firm that represents personal injury victims and their families.

At Carey, Danis & Lowe, even though our lawyers have recovered more than $695 million through litigation, including individual settlements of over $10 million and class-wide settlements of more than $90 million, it is our clients whom we count as our most important asset.

For more information, fill out our online contact form or call Carey, Danis & Lowe toll-free at 800-721-2519.