Baldwin boy’s accidental death is a tragedy that happens often, hospital data shows

BALDWIN, Pa. — A 2-year-old boy died after he was accidentally strangled by a pull cord for a set of blinds, Allegheny County police said.

It happened at around 2:57 p.m. Sunday in the 2000 block of Jameson Drive in Baldwin when the child was with a babysitter.

First responders performed lifesaving measures when they arrived. The boy was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators determined the boy was accidentally hung by a pull cord for a set of blinds near his crib.

According to police, detectives consulted with the district attorney’s office and are awaiting autopsy results.

A Baldwin Township police officer told Channel 11 an officer and someone who lives nearby, who happens to be a medic, did all they could to help the boy before medics arrived.

Tragedies like this sadly happen often.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has a webpage dedicated to window safety.

According to the website:

• Nearly once per month, a child from 7 months old to 10 years old dies from window cord strangulation or suffers near strangulation.
• Many of the victims are children under 5.

And the Window Covering Safety Council offers some safety tips:

• Use only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children.
• Replace older corded window coverings with today’s safer products.

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