Will Safety Release Cords on Children's Cameras Prevent Strangulation?

Abstract

This study investigated the automatic safety release mechanisms on neck cords for children's cameras. The purpose of the safety release mechanism is to reduce accidental strangulation associated with children's toys that have neck cords. The horizontal pull forces that activate the automatic safety release mechanism were measured for two different styles of release mechanisms for neck cords. When these forces were compared to forces associated with child strangulation, the automatic safety mechanisms released at higher forces than the forces associated with accidental strangulation or death, which is contrary to what was intended and creates a false sense of security for parents who select a toy camera with such a device.