A MUM has shared heartbreaking photos of her little girl to warn parents of the dangers of curtain cords.
Emily Tegeler, from Australia, said she has “the worst mum guilt” after her daughter Ava wrapped a blind string around her own neck while playing.
Ava wrapped a blind string around her own neck while playing@tinyheartseducation/Instagram
@tinyheartseducation/InstagramUnsecured blind cords claim the lives of two British children every year[/caption]
Little Ava then tried to rip the string off without unwrapping it, which left visible red marks on her neck.
Emily never knew what happened to her daughter, until someone spotted the neck sores.
Luckily, the young girl is fine but her mum has been left traumatised.
The mum, who shared her story on Instagram and on the Tiny Hearts Education page said: “I was an absolute mess when I found out what happened.
“I don’t even want to think about what could have happened.
“I’m just so glad shes okay.”
Since the horrific event, Ava’s parents have spoken to her about the dangers of strangulation and have rolled the strings up so they are no longer in sight.
They have also vowed to only buy blinds without strings.
Shockingly, unsecured blind cords claim the lives of two Australian children every year.
In the UK, two children are also strangled every year after becoming entangled with the looped cord from a window blind.
It can take just 15 seconds for a toddler to lose consciousness if a blind cord is caught around their neck – and they can die in just two to three minutes.
Last year, Kane Davidson, three, was strangled to death by a blind cord in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Joey Walker, from Denton, Greater Manchester, was just two in 2021, when he was strangled to death by a blind cord after his mum turned her back for “seconds”.
How to make blind cords safe
Get into the habit of tying up your blind cord every time.
If your blind doesn’t have a safety device, do some quick DIY and fix one.
Move cots, beds, highchairs and playpens away from looped blind cords.
If there’s space, move other furniture away from looped blind cords too, as young children love to climb.
For peace of mind, consider buying blinds without cords or chains, particularly for children’s bedrooms.
Source: Child Action Prevention Trust