What You Need To Know
Window Blind Cord Safety
Window Blind Cord Safety
As children develop, so does their curiosity about the world around them. Whilst window blinds and window furnishings are not inherently unsafe and many millions are sold every year, there have been instances of injury and child deaths involving accidents with window blinds and window furnishings such as cords and chains.
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Advice For Homeowners
Simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk:
Do not tie loose cords and chains together
Install blinds that do not have a cord, especially in a child’s bedroom
Secure cords by using one of the many cleats, cord tidies, or clips that are available
Pull cords on blinds and curtains should be kept short and out of reach
Do not place a child’s cot, high chair, bed or playpen near a window
Do not put chests of drawers, tables, chairs or shelves near a window blind as children love to climb
Check the condition of all safety devices if not used regularly and replace them if the device is faulty.
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Professional Responsibilities
As window blind professionals, we do everything we can to ensure your chosen product is safe for your child. At a minimum, all of our blinds meet the European Standard BS EN 13120 for performance and safety. Beyond this, safety is at the forefront of our minds right through the design process as we strive to make high-quality products that are stylish and safe.
Use of additional safety devices may reduce the risk of strangulation or injury but cannot be considered foolproof. Persons in charge of children and vulnerable people are ultimately responsible for following the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.
European Safety Standards
New European standards have recently become law in the UK. It is now a requirement that new blinds must be ‘safe by design’ or be supplied with appropriate child safety devices installed. The new regulations apply in the following circumstances;
Where there is a loop present in a blind it will be fitted during manufacture with a safety device that will break under pressure
Safety devices will also be supplied to secure the cord to a wall
The standard also imposes a maximum cord and chain length and minimum fixing heights. This directly affects the minimum distance a looped control cord can be from the floor, and must (in most cases) be fixed to a wall/frame if installed by us.
A1 Blinds install all blinds to comply with these regulations. We offer a free site survey to inspect existing blinds in public buildings including schools, hospitals and offices. We will provide a detailed report on all blinds that either meet or do not meet the compliance (EN13120) and will advise on the best way to comply with the new law.
How Does This Affect You?
A lot of traditional blinds now have to be fitted with a safety device if you require corded or chain operation. On blinds such as roller blinds, you will not really notice a difference.
With rollers, we are fitting ‘easy break’ chain connectors. But some blinds such as verticals will now have to have their cords fixed 1.5m above ground level and be retained in a child safety device. Venetian blinds now feature inner cord stop devices (yet will also have to have cleats fitted for the cords to be wrapped around).
The regulations do not cover existing blinds installed before the regulations came into force, however if you have any concerns about your existing blinds we can advise on what measures can be taken to make them safer for use around children.
Are There Any Other Options?
There are ‘Safe by Design’ options available for the majority of standard blinds such as wand operation for vertical blinds and motorised blinds. Hand-operated Perfect fit blinds are available for most UPVC windows. A blind which is safe by design has no cords or chains or has concealed or tensioned cords.
Wand Control Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds can be fitted with a mono-control system. A single wand replaces the two cords usually used to operate the blind.
Perfect Fit Blinds
Designed with safety in mind – Perfect Fit Pleated and Roller blinds can be made without cords and fit most modern UPVC windows. Also available as venetian, in addition to the pleated or roller blind options.
Motorised Blinds
There are many blinds that can be motorised – this usually removes any hanging cords or chains from the blind – making a safe alternative to traditional operation.
Use of additional safety devices may reduce the risk of strangulation or injury but cannot be considered foolproof. Persons in charge of children and vulnerable people are ultimately responsible for following the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Child Safety Devices
You will be provided with a child safety device with each blind on your order. If for any reason you cannot find it please contact us to request a replacement, before fitting your blind.
Fitting a P-clip Tensioning Device
This should be securely fixed to an adjacent wall at a height from the floor that complies with Child Safety legislation (please see below), out of the reach of children, with the cord/chain continually secured as shown. This safety device is most suitable for the types of blinds below;
Vertical blinds
Roller blinds
Roman blinds
Fitting A Cleat
This should be fixed to an adjacent wall, out of the reach of children – and the cord/chain left as shown in a secure figure of eight – after each operation of the blind. Screw the cleat to an adjacent wall at the required height (please see below). This safety device is most suitable for these types of blinds;
Wooden and Aluminium Venetian blinds
Pleated blinds
Roman blinds
Repositioning Inner Cord Stops (if necessary)
With Venetians, (corded) Roman blinds and (free-hanging) Pleated blinds
One inner cord stop should be located on each raise and lower cord. All inner cord stops should be located as close to the head rail as possible, and not more than 5cm from the head rail when the blind is fully closed/lowered. Inner Cord Stops shall be supplied with your blind fitted, located on the raise & lower cords towards where they enter the headrail.
In order to reposition them (if this is ever needed), simply loosen the knot that the cord forms around the circular cord stop – lift or lower the knot and cord stop together as required – then re-tighten the knot once in the desired position (ideally not more than 5cm from the headrail when the blind is fully lowered).
Tightening the knot secures the cord below the head rail and limits the movement of inner cords. The inner cord stops provided can be used on cords with a diameter of 0.8 – 1.5mm.
Breakaway Chain Connector
For use with Rollers
A breakaway chain connector is fitted to all Roller blinds that we manufacture. It has been designed and rigorously tested to come apart under 6kg of pressure. This amount of force has been widely adopted in the industry as the optimum guideline limit – striking a balance between the lowest applied pressure as is feasibly possible, whilst still maintaining effective mechanical operation.
Ultraviolet light and temperature resistances are also scrutinised during the thorough test process. The breakaway connector can be easily clipped back together, allowing the blind to be used normally afterwards. It shall remain attached to one loose end of the chain if it does break apart.
In order for this safety device to be fitted in line with child safety legislation, the distance from floor level up to the bottom of the cord shall be at least 0.6m (60cm/24in/2ft).
Multiple Cord Breakaway Connector
Used on Venetian Blinds
A breakaway connector enables up to 4 cords to be terminated, with a single cord exiting from the bottom.
The cord connector is made in two halves and is designed so that, when sufficient weight or force is applied between the multiple cords, the connector breaks in half thus preventing them from forming a dangerous loop.
The breakaway connector can be easily clipped back together, allowing the blind to be used normally afterwards.
Breakaway Clips on Rear Cords
Used on Roman Blinds
These breakaway devices found on the rear cords on Roman Blinds are the perfect solution for meeting child safety. These cord breakaways are designed to ‘snap’ away if excess force is applied, they can simply be ‘snapped’ back in again to resume the operation of the blind.
BS EN 13120 Compliance Test Reports
You will be provided with a child safety device with each blind on your order. If for any reason you cannot find it, please contact us to request a replacement, before fitting your blind.
Fitting Height is the distance from the top of the blind to the floor. To ensure compliance with Child Safety legislation it is now critical to know the fitting height to determine the cord or chain length.
HEIGHTS to Fit Your Safety Device
CLEAT – securely fitted at least 1.5m from the floor and as near the headrail as possible.
P-CLIP Tensioning Device – securely fitted at the maximum distance from the headrail and at least 1.5m from the floor.
Instructions for fitting Child Safety Devices can also be found within the installation guides provided at the time of purchase.
Why not take this opportunity to inspect all your blinds in the home – if they do not have a safety device fitted in the interest of safety you should fit one. For assistance with the correct cleat for the blind in question please contact us and we can advise on the cost of components and supply them should you require additional cleats.
If you have any questions regarding child safety and blinds or want advice on how to improve a current blind, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can talk you through the types of safety devices and supply you with ones to fit your existing blinds.
WARNING
Window coverings can pose a danger to small children. Please be aware that swallowing small parts can cause internal asphyxiation. Looped or low-hanging cords, chains or tapes can also cause strangulation. All safety devices must be correctly installed for the protection from strangulation of young children and the proper use of the blind.
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