Another thing that is now concerning me about safety for the children is whether or not the DVC villas have Venetian Blinds hanging by the balcony doors. There was a horrible accident this past Friday in Long Island, NY...a 2-year-old toddler was playing with his 4-year-old brother in their den (their father was in the house in another room) and the 2-year-old got choked by the metal cord of the Venetian blinds. He passed away the following afternoon. He would have had his 3rd birthday next week. My heart goes out to that family.
Here's the article from Consumer Reports on that topic. These kind of cords are still used today in most hotel rooms where we have stayed. This is so sad.
March 22, 2010
Long Island toddler dies after strangling on window blind chain
A two-year-old Long Island boy died Saturday after getting his neck caught in the chain of vertical blinds in the family home. According to local news reports, the boy was playing with another child when he became tangled in the chain. His father and medical professionals were unable to revive him.
This sad event underscores the dangers that the cords and chains on blinds and shades pose to young children. Last December, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council joined together to "recall for repair" 50 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds. Since then the CPSC has announced the recall of 400,000 more shades and blinds. And a number of major retailers have joined the recall as well.
In the past twenty years there have been 200 fatalities from blind and shade cords, says the CPSC. Other groups say the number is higher. Parents for Window Blind Safety, an advocacy group, reports that a child dies every two weeks from strangulation on corded window treatments.
The WCSC features instructions for retrofitting blinds and shades on its Web site. The method depends on the type of blinds or shades you have. Looped cords should be cut into two single strands. Beaded chains or nylon cords should be tightly tethered to the wall. For more information, illustrations and to order a free retrofit kit, go to the WCSC's Web site or call WCSC's toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.
In the meantime, check all the window coverings in your home and follow this advice:
Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. Cordless window coverings are recommended for homes where children live or visit.
Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.
Make loose cords inaccessible.
If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.
I know that Disney provides the rails but has anyone heard if they offer the PNP and if so has anyone used one?
Thanks for the info!
) but great for lots of other things. Just remember to remove it.
