Child Safe Blinds - The Law and Regulations
Harmony Blinds of Bolton are proud to be members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) and fully support the Make It Safe campaign, which is raising awareness about the potential dangers of looped blind cords.
Since its launch, the Make It Safe campaign has pressed for safer window blinds and the promotion of safety for all window treatments.
The Make It Safe campaign has seen:
- The BBSA taking a leading role in the development of the European standards for window blinds specifically concerning child safety
- The creation and promotion of a website, retail promotional materials and internationally recognised videos promoting safer window treatments
- The provision of expert advice to regulators and those responsible for standard development, as well as assisting media and established safety organisations to appropriately promote safer window blinds
- The insistence of early adoption of safety regulations by all of its membership
All of Harmony Blinds of Bolton's products are compliant with the Child Safety requirements of BS EN 13120
The Make it Safe Campaign
The Make It Safe campaign is endorsed by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Child Accident Prevent Trust (CAPT) and referenced by many other organisations.
As an accredited member of the BBSA, we at Harmony Blinds of Bolton have been closely involved in the Make It Safe campaign and the changes required in the way internal blinds are made, sold and professionally installed.
When the regulations are implemented, it will place a legal responsibility on us as manufaturers and suppliers to:
- Provide safety devices to reduce the risk of any cords or chains forming a hazardous loop
- Test all safety critical items of internal blinds
- Test blinds using safety devices
- Observe maximum cord and chain lengths
- Provide specific warnings and instructions
- Provide information on packaging and at point of sale
- Fit safety devices when professionally installing blinds
We're full members of the BBSA
Download our Window Blind Safety Brochure
Buying New Blinds
We manufacture an extensive ranges of products that are safe by design, meaning that they do not use operating cords or chains or have concealed or tensioned cords. We strongly recommend that these products are always considered first when you are buying new blinds for homes or public buildings.
If you're buying new blinds from us, they will be cordless*.
Make it Simple, Make it Safe.
If you require blinds that have operating cords or chains please note the new regulations will mean cord and chain lengths are determined by the European standard, and where a safety device is needed we will have to install the device, by law.
Child Safe Blinds - Motorised Blinds
For the ultimate Child Safe blinds, choose from our selection of completely motorised, remote control blinds. Replace the usual operating chains or cords with our lithium battery powered motor and raise or lower your blinds using a handy remote control. Motorised options are available for our Roller blinds and Day and Night Blinds
Child Safe Blinds - Monowand Control
Combining the tilt chain and the draw cord of a vertical blind, the monowand system is completely safe for children. It is also easy to use, simply pull the louvres back and forth to open and close the blind, and twist the wand to tilt the drapes.
Child Safe Blinds - Perfect Fit Blinds
Perfect Fit Blinds are completely child safe blinds. The blind itself is put into a frame which clips into the bead of your window. There are no looped cords at all in the product, all operation of the blind is by hand.
Child Safe Blinds - Spring Roller Blinds
Completely remove the looped cord and replace it with a spring-loaded mechanism which is easily operated by gently pulling the blind. Also Safe by Design are Senses roller blinds which are similar to regular roller blinds, however, they have a integrated cassette at the top, and their spring system is a slow-rise.
*Cordless products aren't always practically applicable. Wherever this is the case, we will have to take measures to ensure the blinds are compliant.
Make Your Existing Blinds Safe
Harmony Blinds of Bolton also provide a range of safety devices, free of charge, which have been tested to the new mandatory standards and can help to make existing blinds safer. There are options for virtually every style of blind so you do not have to wait until you change your blind to make it safer. Please contact us or visit our showroom to make your blinds child safe.
If you would like to get a Child Safe Blind device - Free of Charge - Call us today on 01204 657 127 or visit us in the showroom.
Cord Cleat & Cord Tidy
The cord tidy works in a similar manner to the cleat. However, the cords or chains are permanently held between the device's walls so that they never dangle freely. The blind's general operation is unhindered by this device as it allows the cord to run through it freely.
General Safety Advice
- If fitting blinds yourself, please make sure that you follow the installation instructions carefully and make sure any safety devices supplied are correctly installed.
- Do not place your child’s cot, bed, highchair or playpen near to a window blind.
- Make sure all cords and chains are always secured out of reach of babies and young children.
- Do not tie cords or chains together. Make sure cords or chains do not twist and create a loop.
- Do not put other furniture near to a window blind as children love to climb.
Other Useful resources about Child Safety, Child Safe Blinds and the Make it Safe Campaign.
- Make it Safe (http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk/)
- RoSPA (http://www.rospa.com/about/currentcampaigns/blindcords/)
- Make it Safe Videos (http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk/make-it-safe-video)
- Child Accident Prevention Trust (http://www.capt.org.uk/)
