Roller blinds warning after toddler death

PARENTS have been warned of the dangers of roller blinds after a toddler died following an accident at his home.

Trading Standards officers issued a fresh warning after the death of 21-month-old Caden Laine from Plymouth, who died earlier this month after accidentally hanging himself with the cord from a window blind.

In 2008, Muireann McLaughlin from Clackmannanshire was hanged by a cord after climbing on to the windowsill to wave to her grandmother.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "Parents and carers need only make a few simple checks on any pull cords at home to ensure that they are not putting their children's safety at risk.

"The deaths that have occurred are tragic for the families involved and we need to do everything we can to prevent any more similar incidents.

"This campaign by Trading Standards highlights a few simple measures that can be taken to make blinds safer."

Families with small children are being urged to cut cords which end in a loop and to make sure children are not able to use furniture to climb up and reach the cords.