Window blind cords can be very dangerous for children. It is a good idea to look for alternate window coverings for their safety and well-being. The cord can be a strangulation hazard so I wanted to introduce you to a few child-friendly window covering options.

As part of this blind cord safety campaign it is advised if you do have window blind cords to make sure you use a cleat. Then the cord can be secured out of reach. The cleat needs to be at least 1.5 metres from the floor.

It is also recommended that furniture is not placed near the windows. As children might climb up and grab the cord. The danger with this is you could forget to use the cleat, or the furniture could be moved during play. It seems safer if you don’t have any loose elements children can interact with.

Children don’t understand the risks and it can all happen very quickly. Not every parent is familiar with the danger either. It is important to raise awareness to stop further tragedies. This study into the dangers of blinds found that between 1990 to 2015 there were almost 17,000 injuries of children under the age of six. Children will have times when they are playing unsupervised for a few minutes when they get to about 3. Therefore you need to make sure each room is childproofed. You might find my earlier article with other home safety tips useful for childproofing rooms.

Installing shutters

Shutters do not have cords or leads which can injure your child. Window Shutters are fitted into the window frame, so children have nothing tempting to pull. You can save up to 40% by fitting shutters yourself so they become an affordable option that you might have considered before.

Frosted Window Film

Window film can allow you privacy and are relatively easy to apply. Being completely cordless they are very safe for your children, as you just stick them direct to the glass. You can pick out from lots of designs and tints. However once fitted unlike shutters you cannot adjust how much light is let in with film.

Safe Designed Blinds

Some blinds have the cords hidden inside the mechanism and have wands for you to use to adjust the light level.  Or you might find your blinds now have cords with chain break connectors instead so they will break apart with the pressure if a child had it around their neck. All these measures help reduce the risk but eliminating completely if my preferred and shutters seem the safest option whilst still allowing you to control the amount of light in your home.

The main problem is if you have blinds already in your home from prior to 31^st of March 2014 before the legal requirements came into place. If that is the case its best looking at replacing those blinds as a matter of urgency with one of the above safer alternatives for window coverings.