Earlier this year, we were left heartbroken by the story of Bronwyn Taylor; the 16-month-old tot who died after an accident involving a blind cord in her grandparents’ house.
Now, reaching a conclusion of ‘accidental death’, a coroner has called on parents everywhere to be vigilant and ensure their blinds are safe for little ones.
Assistant coroner David James’ words came during a hearing into little Bronwyn’s tragic death, in April of this year.
Bronwyn was reportedly being looked after by her grandparents at the time, in Stoke-on-Trent, while her parents were at the theatre with her older siblings.
The grandparents left Bronwyn alone for just a few minutes, but that is sadly how little time it took for the tot to get her head stuck in a blind cord loop.
Bronwyn is said to have then fallen over and, in the minutes that followed, she suffered cardiac arrest.
She was discovered by her grandmother, and was rushed to hospital; however, she was pronounced dead shortly after.
A post-mortem confirmed that the toddler died from strangulation.
Speaking at the hearing this week, Assistant Coroner James said: “I can see plentiful use in me asking, imploring, advising, stressing to landlords, homeowners, parents, grandparents and local authorities, the importance of double-checking and ensuring all window blinds and fitments are safe.”
“If they are not, or are suspected of not being, the blinds must be modified to make them safe or be replaced. Everything must be done to reduce or eliminate the risk of such tragedies as this from occurring again,” he added.
