If you have blinds in your home, you are probably aware of the potential dangers they cause. While most people often feel that an accident with blinds won’t ever happen to them – there is a definite risk there.
Internal window blind cords and chains can pose a particular risk to babies, small children, vulnerable people and pets, who could injure or even strangle themselves on operating cords and chains.
So it is especially important that you take steps to make sure the children and vulnerable people in your home are safe.
If you’re using a blind in a child’s or vulnerable person’s room you may consider fitting safety device to keep the cord or chains safely and out of the way of children or pets.
There are also many simple precautions to help reduce the risk to babies and small children and animals, including:
- Make sure all cords and chains are always secured and out of reach
- Do not place your child’s cot, bed, highchair or playpen near to a window blind
- Do not put sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases near to a window blind, (children love to climb)
- Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
Most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children aged between 16 and 36 months old.
If possible install blinds that do not have a cord in a child’s bedroom, or keep the cord out of a child’s reach either by tying it up and keeping it well out of reach.
Blinds make a beautiful addition to a room, and so shouldn’t be dismissed because of safety concerns. Instead, simply precautions can be out in place to make sure you use and keep your blinds safely.
If you’re looking to install blinds in your home, contact us today on 0116 251 6501 and we will be happy to discuss your ideas.
