Range of Child Safety Choices in Window Blinds for Upminster

bears signedIn the past we would not have dreamt that something as common and everyday as the cord on a window blind could present a significant danger to babies and young children, Blinds are an incredibly popular addition to the home, and are highly attractive as well as functional. At Applewood Interiors we offer a wide range of fitted blinds to customers in Upminster, including Vertical Blinds, Roller Blinds, Venetian Blinds, Roman Blinds, Pleated Blinds, Wood Weave and Velux Blinds.

Protecting your little ones is of course a priority, and thanks to recent legislation, built in child safety systems have now been introduced which ensure a safe alternative to the old style cords and chains. Options include concealed or tensioned cords and motorised products.

Making Your Existing Blinds Safe, Hornchurch

Systems which are in-built require no additional installation or operation actions, and some are designed for window shapes and sizes in Hornchurch where fitting of cordless window blinds are not an option. Chain break connectors will separate should there be any extra pressure, and break away tassels work in a similar way. Sometimes people may choose these if they wish to coordinate the blinds with their existing window blinds.

Some safety systems need to be installed or operated separately, and are often used where cordless blinds or those with in-built safety devices are unsuitable. These come as separate tensioning or accumulation devices and must be securely fitted and used all of the time.

In-Built Motorised & Efficient Safety Systems, Chigwell

If your existing blinds have old style cords or chains, you must keep them out of reach of babies and young children. You do not have to wait until you need new ones, you can make them safe now! There are simple and fast ways to make your window blinds in Chigwell child friendly by fitting a chain-break connector, cord or chain tidys and tensioners and cleats.

Chain Break Connectors – will break when a certain amount of pressure is applied, and can then be inspected and reconnected. There are a variety of chain sizes available, and the chain break connector designed for your particular chain should be used.

Cord/Chain Tidys & Tensioners – Securely fit these devices to an adjacent surface and at a maximum distance from the top of the blind. This will ensure that cords or chains are held taut and are out of harms way.

Cleats – A cleat is also fitted securely to a nearby surface, at least 1.5 metres from the floor and out of the reach of small hands. Bear in mind that the cord needs to be firmly secured after each and every use.

Child Safety Options for Homes in Loughton, Essex

We have a number of child safety choices for our blinds at Applewood Interiors, eliminating the risk of accidents and giving peace of mind in Loughton, Essex.

Roman Blinds – with our Roman Blinds we can offer totally motorised systems, cutting out the need for chains and cords when raising or lowering the blind.

Venetian Blinds – are available with a one – touch, motorised control, eliminating the control chains.

Vertical Blinds – can have a control wand meaning no cords at all, just a fast and safe action.

Roller Blinds – you will find a child safe choice here also with one – touch motorised control.

Velux, Prefect Fit and Pleated Blinds – all feature a tensioned wire, complying totally with Child Safety Regulations to keep your tots safe.

Update on Blinds and Child Safety

A recent look at figures in the UK has revealed that many homes still have unsafe blinds fitted to their windows. As a result of this, accidents and fatalities have continued although there are less occurrences. According to Robert Chantry-Price, a Joint Lead Officer for Product Safety for CTSI “Blinds that were fitted before 2014 are particularly problematic, as a revised safety standard came into force that year required new blinds to be sold with cord or chain tensioners to prevent strangulation. Many accidents could be prevented at very little cost to the home owner.

The campaign’s advice doesn’t just apply to parents, but to other carers such as grandparents and friends of the family who may have potentially dangerous blinds in their home.”

Raising Awareness Throughout the UK

Parents and responsible adults are being urged to fit safety devices to their old window blinds in order to stop children becoming entangled in blind cords and chains. Many people will have blinds that were fitted many years before, and may not even be aware of the dangers posed. Concerns raised due to the continuing situation prompted a further campaign in 2019. The Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has been working to raise public awareness of the hazards of unsecured looped blind cords to very young children and to show simple ways of making them safer.

The campaign seeks to challenge parents, children’s charities, childcare providers, community groups and employers, by asking ‘Are your blinds safe?’

They are also being advised to:

  • secure any cords and chains so they are out of reach, using a suitable safety device like a tensioner, tidy or cleat fixed to an adjacent surface
  • also, move children’s beds, cots, high chairs, playpens and furniture away from windows

 

Range of Child Safety Choices in Window Blinds for Upminster, Making Your Existing Blinds Safe, Hornchurch. In- Built Motorised & Efficient Safety Systems, Chigwell, Child Safety Options for Homes in Loughton, Essex

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