Child Safety
‘Make it Safe’ is a child safety campaign from the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) to promote window blind safety in all homes, public buildings and other environments where babies and young children may be present.
Window blinds are an increasingly popular form of window dressing with virtually limitless designs, styles, finishes and operating methods.
All blinds produced and sold after February 2014 must comply with detailed child safety requirements.
When considering new blinds, make sure you consider blinds which are “safe by design” first. These blind styles use no operating cords or chains, or cords are held under tension or concealed in the system of the blind.
There are “safe by design” versions of every blind style from blinds that are operated by wands to push and pull the blind into position, gear operation or even motorised, which, with new battery motors has become an extremely popular option.
If your window size or position means you must have cord or chain operated blinds, then the blinds must be fitted with a safety device and the cords and chains will be restricted lengths to comply with regulations.
Some existing blinds may have cords or chains to operate the blind which could prove hazardous to babies and young children if they can gain access to the blind. You don’t have to wait to replace an existing blind to make it safer. At the very least keep all cords and chains secured out of reach of babies and young children. There are a range of devices to help you. EasyCleat products require no drilling and are simply “stuck” onto the window using a high specification adhesive pad.
Making existing blinds safer is quick, cheap and easy and this web page will show you how.
As the UK distributer of Easycleat they can be ordered directly from us. Please email admin@donsmithblinds.co.uk for a quote.
CHAIN TENSIONERS
If your blind has a looped chain, such as a roller blind, make it safer by using a tensioning device.
These devices should be securely fixed to an adjacent surface and at the maximum distance from the top of the blind, so the cords and/or chains are held permanently taut by the device.
CLEAT
If your blind is operated by cords, such as a Venetian blind, use a cleat to store the cord.
Cleats should be securely fixed to an adjacent surface out of the reach of children and at least 1.5 metres from the floor. The cords must be secured in a figure of eight after each operation of the blind. Ensure all spare cord is securely contained on the cleat.
Easy to do yourself
Making your blinds safe for children in your home is easy to do with Easycleat. This video shows you how.
