Child Safety & Blinds

Usually I like my blogs to include some funny little facts, but I cant think of anything funny about making sure our homes are safe for children. All I can tell you is that we are totally committed to implementing all child safety procedures in relation to window blind and curtain installation.

I have included a video by the NCA and an extract from the guide on safety from the NSAI.
All our blinds are fitted with a child safety device where necessary and a safety tag is included with all blinds.
Some blinds pose no hazard at all and details of those are on our website .

Standards to Protect Children From Window Blind Cords16/08/2012

NSAI has published two new Irish Standards in response to safety concerns about window blinds in homes and places where children frequent. Many blinds and other window coverings have cords that are used to raise or lower the product or to connect its different parts. Loop cords and chains on window blinds pose a strangulation risk for young children and there have been a number of tragic accidents involving children in Ireland.  


Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI, said: “Product standards are developed to protect and benefit the consumer and safety is a key priority. Window blind cords that can form loops pose an extremely serious risk to young children, who can become entangled in the cords when playing near windows or climbing on window sills or furniture. It’s important that everyone is aware of the dangers and precautions that need to be taken with window blind cords in homes and businesses to ensure children’s safety.” 
 These are the two new standards.
• I.S. 386: Safety of corded window products; Guidance for procurement, measuring, manufacturing, installation and retrofitting. This standard provides guidance to those that may be involved in the purchasing of internal window blinds, such as government agencies, childcare centres, schools, libraries, wholesalers, retailers, installers and consumers. It provides guidance on the safe use of the products and also for retrofitting to make existing blinds safe.
• I.S. 387:  Internal Corded Window Products – Safety Requirements.  This standard specifies the safety requirements for internal corded window products (blinds and draperies with accessible cord, chain, ball-chain or similar).  It applies to honeycomb and pleated blinds, free hanging, guided and laterally moving; roman shades; Austrian blinds / festoon blinds; panel blinds; plantation shutters; roll-up blinds and draperies.
• However I Don't think the standards say very much.Basically in order to make blinds safe for children we need to use a simple bracket to retain loops or a cleat to wind cords on.
• Cords ending in a loop are particularly risky. If possible, cut the cord to get rid of the loop and install tassels;
• Cords should end at least 1.6 metres above the ground so children cannot reach them. Replace cords with curtain or blind wands;
• Where cords cannot be cut, a tie-down or tension device should be used to pull the cord tight and secure it to the floor or wall.
• Never place a child’s cot, bed, playpen or high chair near a window or patio door where a child could reach a curtain or blind cord;
• Keep sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases away from windows to prevent children climbing up and reaching curtain or blind cords;

We at Wildthings are committed to implementing these child safety standards.

If you have any concerns about existing blinds please give us a call and we will give you free advice.

046 95 49200

Please see NCA website if you have any other concerns