Make It Safe says the BBSA

Many millions of blinds are sold every year in the UK and the BBSA has some simple guidelines for parents and carers of babies and small children as looped blind cords can pose a potential hazard:

• Do not place a child’s cot, bed, playpen or high chair near a window so they may reach a blind cord
• Do not place furniture near a window that a child could climb on to reach a blind cord
• Do make sure that a safety device is fitted to keep the cords taut or out of reach

All BBSA members offer safety devices or alternative operating methods on new blinds and can retrofit safety devices to most existing blinds. Download a copy of the BBSA’s free make it safe brochure here.

Parents and carers are reminded that:

“Complete elimination of the strangulation risk can only be achieved by keeping cords, chains, and tapes and similar out of the reach of children. Use of additional safety devices may reduce the risk of strangulation but cannot be considered foolproof ……Persons in charge of children are ultimately responsible for following the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.”
EN 13120 – Internal Blinds Performance requirements including Safety.

For safety advice always make sure you contact a BBSA member – you can find your nearest member here