Updated: Mon Apr. 27 2009 11:13:07

ctvwinnipeg.ca

Since 1986, 28 Canadian children have been strangled by cords hanging from wind blinds. Now Health Canada has set out new rules for any blinds advertised, sold, or imported into the country.

The rules require all pull cords and bead-chains have a breakaway device that allows the loops to separate when there's weight on the cord.

And mechanisms to restrict inner cord loops from getting large enough to fit over a child's head are also mandatory.

Superblinds & Draperies Bonnie Cote says many manufacturers have already been complying for years.

"Basically we've been working towards it all along going with their regulations and recommendations to secure blinds and going with new safety tips," she told CTV News.

"So for us it's not going to make much of a change in what we do."

Dr. Lynne Warda worked on the Canadian Standards Association's Technical Committee and helped bring in some of the new rules.

She is pleased with the changes but worries there are still many households using the older blinds. She recommends owners who have them cut the loop at the end and clasp it with a paperclip.

Health Canada says about 150 businesses will be affected by the new rules. An advertising and education period will be allowed for a year before the regulations are enforced.