Window Blind Safety - 'MAKE IT SAFE'CAMPAIGN

[admin]

I have been contacted by the BBSA, who have sent me some info to put on the site. They also said that there was another fatality in Dublin last month, so need to continue to raise awareness with parents.

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Window blind safety – ‘make it safe’ says trade body

In the UK five children, all under the age of three, died in 2010 after becoming entangled in window blind cords and chains.

The British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) is urging homeowners and building users where children live or may visit to ensure they consider reducing the possible risks associated with window blind operating cords and chains. To offer parents support and independent advice the BBSA has a campaign called ‘make it safe’ to provide practical advice regarding blind cord safety and to highlight the options available to make your window blind safe. You can download a free brochure from www.makeitsafe.org.uk or watch a video on what to consider when buying new blinds as well as how to make existing blinds safer.

The BBSA and its members have been very active in developing simple, effective low-cost safety features that are suitable for all blind styles. These include a safe way of securing operating cords by tension devices as well as chain break connectors which simply pull apart should undue pressure be applied, but that can simply be connected again.

There are also different operating methods and even window blinds which do not have looped operating cords or chains at all, so there are lots of options available. Many of these offered by BBSA members can be retrofitted to existing blinds, so you do not have to wait until you replace a blind to improve its safety.

The ‘make it safe’ campaign is endorsed by RoSPA, The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and is referenced by Trading Standards and the NHS.

Many blinds are bought in standard window sizes from retail outlets that are not part of the BBSA so make sure you check that they have child safety features before you buy.

The BBSA’s advice is very simple for homes or buildings where children live or visit:

• When buying a new blind consider one which does not have operating cords or chains, has concealed cords or an inherent safety device
  
• If you have an existing blind keep any operating cords or chains out of a child’s reach or get a retrofit device to improve safety of cords and chains
  
• Do not tie cords together and make sure they do not twist and create a loop
  
• Move cots, beds and furniture away from windows and blinds

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The link for the BBSA’s ‘make it safe’ brochure:

http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk/include...ke-it-safe.pdf

The link for the BBSA’s ‘make it safe video’:

http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk/video.php

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