Posted: 4 Apr 2019
During a recent installation of our blinds, the fitter noticed something unusual with some other blinds in the property. Another well-known nationwide blind company had recently fitted roller blinds. However, something extra important caught the fitter’s attention. The company had fitted the blinds in a very unsafe way:
As they are manual roller blinds, they require the use of a looped cord. However, the cord on the roller blinds were much too long. The blinds only had a simple hook to tie the cord off with. Had the company fitted them safely, not only would the cord itself have been much shorter. But, they would fit the blinds with a full cleat, and other child safety devices such as breakaway connectors. Because of the blind being fitted with a looped cord it could easily fall off the hook and pose a danger to children.
Child Safety Regulation
To prevent blind companies from still fitting unsafe blinds, the child safety regulations came into effect back in February 2014. It includes specifications on how long a looped cord should be, to pass as “child safe” and legal. They also included the different safety devices required to ensure they don’t pose a risk to children. It’s shocking to us that a large nationwide company would still fit blinds like this. Especially, when it’s over 5 years after the regulations came into effect. There are many reasons it may have happened but it’s possible it just could have been ignorance on the part of the fitter. Since many companies use self-employed fitters to fit their blinds, they don’t always control the training they receive; including their knowledge of the current child safety regulations. Because we employ all of our fitters, we not only ensure that they are all well versed in all the regulations before they’re allowed to fit blinds, but that they also have regular refresher training as they continue to work for us.
Considering child safety when buying blinds
Child safety is something to consider whenever you buy any blind. It can affect whether to buy a blind with cord operation or a Safe By Design operation method. This could even including getting motorised blinds over manual operation. Don’t forget even if you don’t live with children! The blinds need to be safe for anyone who lives in that property or for children that may visit. Therefore, we always have to fit child-safe blinds regardless of who lives there.
