Are blind and curtains cords in reach of little hands at your house? Cord safety is often overlooked when child-proofing a home.
Many parents, grandparents, friends and carers do not realise that these cords have the potential to injure or strangle babies and children.
“Tragically, between one and two children die in Australian homes every year as a result of non-compliant corded blinds and curtains. Similar deaths occur regularly across the world and the ACCC is joining international regulators to warn of the hidden dangers associated with corded blinds and curtains.”
“Loose cords can be extremely dangerous to young children, as they can quickly tangle or loop around a child’s neck. We are urging parents and carers to check each room in their house for blinds or curtains with cords and tie them up with cleats,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said. https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/accc-warns-of-dangers-of-loose-blind-and-curtain-cords
What are the risks with blind cords?
Accidents involving cords can occur quickly and silently, with tragic results. As a responsible parent or caregiver, it’s essential to understand the dangers and take appropriate steps to ensure your child’s safety.
One of the most significant risks associated with corded blinds and curtains is strangulation. A child can become entangled in a cord and accidentally hang themselves in a matter of seconds. Children are naturally curious and may climb on furniture to look out of a window, accidentally getting their neck tangled in a cord. In some cases, the child may not be able to call for help, leading to tragic consequences.
Another potential danger of corded blinds is, tripping. Loose cords can be a hazard in any room, causing people to trip and fall.
Some examples of non-safe blind cords include:
Loop cords – These cords form a loop that children can easily slip their neck into, leading to strangulation.
Long cords – Cords that are too long can pose a risk to children who may become entangled in them while playing or climbing.
Cords with tassels – These decorative elements can also become hazards, especially if they are small enough to be ingested by a child.
Cords that are frayed or worn – These cords are weak and prone to break, which can cause blinds to fall and potentially harm a child.
Cords that are not secured – Any cords that are not secured with a tie-down device or cleat can pose a risk to children.
It’s essential to recognize the potential dangers of blind cords and take appropriate steps to prevent accidents. Fortunately, there are easy and effective preventative methods.
Some of these methods are to use cleats on all corded blinds. Another is to replace blinds with cordless models using wands or to automate your blinds.
Blind Cord Safety At Home
To ensure safety at home, it’s important to check all rooms for blinds or curtains with cords.
- Check all existing internal blinds and cords for compliance with safety standards.
- Replace any internal blinds that do not comply with safety standards.
- Keep cords out of reach of children by using safety devices such as cord guides, tensioning devices, cleats or cordless blinds.
- Never allow children to play with cords or use cords as toys.
- Educate children about the dangers of playing with cords and the importance of staying away from them.
Mandatory Safety Standards for Manufacturers
In Australia, child safety regulations for internal blinds have been put in place to prevent accidental strangulation of young children. These regulations were introduced after a number of tragic incidents involving children and internal blind cords.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) introduced a mandatory standard for manufacturers. This standard applies to blinds, curtains, and other window fittings produced in Australia to ensure that they meet the required safety guidelines. The implementation of this standard is a crucial step forward in protecting children and reducing the risk of accidents caused by blind cords.
It is important to note that these safety standards apply to new and existing internal blinds. Homeowners and landlords are responsible for ensuring that all internal blinds in their homes or rental properties are compliant with the safety regulations.
Blind Installation Requirements
A corded internal window covering must be installed in a way that ensures a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at or less than 1600 mm above floor level. A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least 1600 mm above floor level. The corded internal window covering must also be installed in accordance with the installation instructions on packaging.
Labelling
Any person installing a corded internal window covering must not remove any warning label supplied with the blind.
Note for Landlords
When renting out your property it is important to ensure that all blind and curtain chains and cords are anchored appropriately. Failure to do so may result in you being held responsible if an accident occurs due to inadequate safety measures. Make sure you take the necessary steps to prevent any potential hazards and protect both your tenant and yourself.
How North Coast Blinds & Security Comply with Cord and Blind Regulations
At North Coast Blinds & Security, you can rest assured that all of our blinds are manufactured and installed to comply with ACCC regulations. We’ve taken every measure to ensure the highest level of safety for everyone in your household, regardless of age. All our blinds feature child-safe operating systems, eliminating any potentially dangerous cord or chains.
To ensure that your window treatments meet the ACCC recommendations, we highly recommend seeking the help of a professional installer. Their expertise will ensure that your blinds are anchored appropriately and that children are protected from any hazards.
Ensuring the safety of your children is a top priority, and choosing the right blind is essential in creating a safe environment for them.
If you need assistance in selecting and installing child safe blinds, the friendly expert team at North Coast Blinds & Security is here for you. All of our blinds meet with Australian Consumer Safety & Security legislation to ensure there is minimal risk to children.
We offer a wide range of blinds that meet the highest safety standards, and we can help you find the perfect solution for your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable professionals and let us help you create a safer living environment for your family.