Western Group Environmental Health Service - Derry City Council

Reducing the risk of child strangulation linked to window blind cordsChildren can become entangled in hanging cords when playing, climbing or just exploring. It is estimated that at leasttwo children die every year in such accidents. On the recent introduction of safety requirements for the cords/chains ofwindow coverings, Western Group Officers issued advisory letters to window manufacturers and blind retailers informingthem that new safety requirements have been introduced across the EU to ensure that internal blinds and other cordedwindow coverings are inherently safe for children, eliminating the risk of strangulation and asphyxiation from accessiblecords and small parts.An article in the Mid-Ulster Mail on 3 rd February 2011 cited a grandfather, Martin Regan from Bellaghy, calling for a banon looped blind cords following the death of his grandson in Tralee last January.Nightwear Safety SurveyIn the past year, Group Environmental Health staff have been involved in the coordination of a survey across the Western GroupCouncils and beyond, looking at the safety of nightwear. Funding was received from the Department of Business, Innovation andSkills (BIS) to carry out this surveillance work which will ascertain compliance with labelling requirements for both adults’ andchildren’s nightdresses.Samples from the Western Group area and from other Councils throughout Northern Ireland were submitted to a laboratory fortesting. The samples that were submitted were broken into 3 x sections, cotton nightdresses, polyester nightdresses & thin cottonpyjamas. There are specific requirements that different garments/ materials must meet in relation to labelling, etc and so a widerange of garments were tested.Twelve samples were purchased on-line, nine of the samples produced a failed result, three of the samples due to labelling issues, the remaining sixwere found to fail to comply with the flammability requirements of the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985. All relevant Local Authorities have beencontacted and the failures are continuing to be investigated. These results however highlight a serious concern with regard to the safety of productsoffered to consumers on-line.26