Child safety
Recently there have been a number of preventable accidents and fatalities involving young children and blind cords. Safety is high importance where young children and babies are concerned.
We are currently doing as much as we can to make people aware of how to make their blinds safe by fitting a simple safety cord tidy or cleat so please take the time to read about what you can do to help prevent these accidents from happening. Window blind cords and chains must be kept out of reach of babies and small children and there are many solutions for new and existing blinds.
As time goes on, blinds are being reinvented with child safety at the core of their design. For example, many vertical blinds now have a manual wand installed instead of the traditional chain. It works just as well and also means parents can relax knowing their blind is cord free.
Here is what you should do now if you have babies or young children living in your house or if babies or young children may visit:
- Examine every blind in your home. If they have a looped control chain or cord and do not have a safety device fitted then you can easily install one of the many devices available. Ask your nearest BBSA member or ‘make it safe’ dealer who will be happy to assist you.
- Ensure that all operating blind cords and chains cannot be reached by children.
- When buying a new blind always look for one that does not contain cords, has concealed cords or has an in-built safety device.
- Move cots, beds and any furniture away from windows and blinds – remember children love to climb
- Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
New standards published
If you have a premises where children under the age of 42 months are present or likely to have access you must install blinds which are compliant with the child safety requirements of BS EN 13120:2009+A1:2014. This applies to all public buildings and the publicly accessible areas of commercial buildings. As a BBSA member we can provide you with expert advise.
Get in touch- Research indicates that most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children between 16 months and 36 months old, with the majority (more than half) happening at around 23 months.
- These toddlers are mobile, but their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed, which makes them more prone to be unable to free themselves if they become entangled.
- As with drowning, toddlers can be strangled quickly and quietly by looped cords with carers in close proximity, potentially unaware of what is happening.
Some safety devices that are available to use on your new and existing blinds
Easy break chain connectors
Various cleats
Cord tidies
