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The British Blind & Shutter Association and Chris Byrne of Aspiration Blinds welcome new laws on window blind safety that came into effect earlier this year. The association has campaigned for safer blinds and has worked with UK government and EU standards bodies to make child safety standards for new window blinds much more stringent. Chris Byrne of Aspiration Blinds said These are welcome regulations; we have made movements to make our blinds safer over the last few years so the transition to meet the legislation was a smooth one.

The new regulations make it illegal to sell or professionally install a window blind that does not meet the standards. The rules include maximum cord and chain lengths, the fitting and testing of safety devices at the point of manufacture, product warnings, point of sale information and instructions on packaging.

Since 2009 the BBSA has worked tirelessly to educate consumers about window blinds with cords or chains which could form a hazardous loop and its make it safe campaign is endorsed by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

‘Make it Safe’ Campaign

Aspiration Blinds are active members of the make it safe campaign, which urges parents, grandparents and carers to, make simple precautions in these homes:

– Examine every blind in the home, especially in children’s bedrooms. If any have a looped control chain or cord then make sure there is a safety device to keep the cord or chain securely out of the reach of babies and young children. These safety devices are low-cost and are easy to retrofit, so you do not have to wait until you replace a blind to improve its safety.

– Move cots, beds and any furniture away from windows and blinds remember children love to climb.

– When buying a new blind always look for one that does not contain cords or chains (for example a spring operated roller blind) or which has concealed cords especially for children’s bedrooms.

For more information, tips and advice on what to look for in new blinds and how to improve the safety of your existing window blinds visit the website www.makeitsafe.org.uk , or contact Aspiration Blinds directly, 01204 684111.