A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio finds nearly 17,000 children have been injured by window blinds or shades since 1990.
Most occurred when the contraptions somehow hit the children.
"The highest risk group are children between ages of 1 and 4," says Nationwide's Dr. Gary Smith. "This is when they gain mobility, they're toddlers, they're curious, they explore their environment, but they have no idea what's dangerous."
The biggest threat is the cords, especially those you can't see.
Hidden inner cords can easily strangle children.
The nationwide study finds cords have killed 271 children since 1990.
"When they explore a window blind and get their head entangled in the cords, within minutes, they're going to strangle," he warns. "And often they don't make any noise because they can't move any air."
The Window Covering Manufacturers Association is working toward a safety standard for manufacturers to go cordless or have inaccessible cords.
The group expects the standard to be finalized by the end of this month, with companies in complete compliance by the end of 2018.
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