Blind cord safety
Window blind cords can be a risk to babies, small children and vulnerable people. They could injure or strangle themselves on looped cords and chains. You should take steps to keep your child safe because they could lose their life on a window blind cord in a few seconds.
Dangers of window blind cords video
Warning: You might find the video disturbing.
To see translated versions of this video, go to:
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What to do if you have blinds in your home
If you already have blinds fitted in your home, there are some practical, simple precautions to help reduce the risk to babies and small children below:
- examine every blind in your home and if any blind has a cord or chain that is looped or could form a loop - make sure a safety device is used to keep the cord or chain securely tidied away out of their reach
- safety devices are available in the form of cord or chain tidies, P clips and cleats
- do not place your child’s cot, bed, high chair or playpen near to a window blind
- do not put sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases near a window blind as children love to climb
Be mindful of blind cord safety in other places your children might visit and spend time like child minders, grandparents, friends and family, hotels and restaurants.
What to look out for when buying new blinds
When choosing new blinds for your home or places where babies or small children live or visit, always look for a blind that is ‘safe by design’ for example cordless or concealed cord systems.
Some blinds have in-built safety devices, for example chain break connectors that break apart when undue pressure is applied on the operating chain.
If new blinds are operated by cords or chains and do not have an in-built safety device, follow the instructions supplied and make sure all safety devices are fitted.
If professional installers are fitting your blinds, they must fit the safety devices.
Video demonstrates window blind cord safety options
To view these options watch the video:
For further information or advice, contact the Home Safety Officer at your local council. Home Safety Officers can also offer safety devices for blinds already fitted in your home.
You can watch an interview with Feliciano and Maria Saba, the parents of Bryan Saba, who was accidentally strangled by the looped cord of a window blind in Portadown in September 2015 by viewing the video below.
Before you find yourself in a situation where medical treatment, help or advice is needed urgently, it helps to be prepared. Follow the link below for the types of services on offer and which one is best suited to your needs:
See the questions that are regularly asked about blind cord safety by typing in 'blind cord safety' in the 'search keywords' block and then press 'search':