The following product modification and legislation has proved to be successful in reducing fatal deaths from choking, suffocation and strangulation:
Warning labels - labels placed on products that explain the hazard, not just a label stating “for children aged 3 years and up”, have provided greater knowledge for parents.
Product bans - prepare regulations that remove latex balloons, inedibles in food products and drawstrings on clothing. The United Kingdom banned clothing drawstrings in 1976 and no known deaths from drawstring-related injuries have been reported since then.
Product modification - regulations on slat spacing for crib designs, balconies, and outdoor fencing have been effective to reduce strangulation. But old crib models not modified need to be removed from homes and not passed to other families, especially immigrants and poorer families purchasing used cribs. Also needed is a lowering of the minimum force that is required to open a lid or door to a sealed container that allows children to escape trapped locations.
Product safety commission – National consumer safety organisations in Europe have improved the safety of consumer products in their country. The work done by the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the United States contributed to a 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
This information has been taken from the Fact sheet on Child choking, Strangulation and Suffocation published by the Alliance in October 2006. This fact sheet including the references to the information above is available here.
