The Lichfield Mercury is backing a home safety campaign to make window blinds safer, after the tragic death of a city three-year-old in April.

Maddie Whitehead was strangled after becoming trapped in the loose pull chains of a conservatory blind.

Following an inquest into her death the South Staffordshire coroner, city’s MP and Staffordshire trading standards officers all called for better legislation and more warnings on the use of cords and cord tidies.

Now the Mercury has teamed up with trading standards officers to offer 100 free cord tidies to readers on a first-come, first-served basis, with a claim coupon in the paper.

The paper has also arranged for a mail order company to offer readers additional packs at cost price.

Mercury editor Tim Hewitt said: “Maddie’s parents have been determined to highlight the dangers to other parents and we were pleased to co-operate with them and trading standards to set up this offer.

“Whether or not readers take up this particular product we want to give them advice and information to encourage them to make blind cords and chains safer, and prevent another tragedy.”

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