Hand Made, Professionally Fitted Blinds, Curtains & Soft Furnishings, Free Home Consultation, Measuring & Fitting
When expecting the patter of tiny feet, or even if you already have some tiny feet in your home, it is usual to baby or child proof your home. Ornaments are banished to higher shelves, and stair gates, plug socket covers and fire guards are in place. Everything which could possibly pose a threat to your liittle’uns are changed, made safe or locked away securely. Although, there is one item which resides happily in many homes in Upminster, Chigwell, Loughton and Hornchurch, that represents a hazard for babies and young children and which has for years been completely overlooked.
Window blind cords, have been at the centre of a number of tragedies involving young children for a number of years. These cords can become tangled around the child’s neck, and have caused a large amount of fatalities. European legislation is thankfully now in place banning the use of cords and chains that could cause a ‘hazardous loop’.
All new blinds must be ‘Safe by Design’, and manufactured in line with these rules, and existing blinds must be modified by fitting a safety device. A number of effective solutions have been devised such as those which break under pressure, tension cords and out of reach cord storage. Professional installers like Applewood Interiors, will design and fit your child safe blinds to the highest standards. All of our blinds and window coverings comply with child safety regulations, using either high performance mechanisms, breakaway devices, tabs or wands.
To prevent cord related accidents happening in your home, check all of your blinds, including Venetian, Roman, pleated, vertical or roller. Pay particular attention to blinds in children’s bedrooms and if possible replace corded blinds with one of the cordless variety. if there are blinds here ensure that any cords are short and out of reach, or wrapped around a cord tidy or cleat. Keep furniture, beds, playpens, cots, highchairs etc away from the window, so babies and children cannot use them to climb up to the window. Check around for any other types of cord in the home which could form a dangerous loop. For advice on any aspect of made to measure curtains, blinds and soft furnishings, call Applewood Interiors on 01277 200203.