Child Safety

Child safety is one of our main priorities. That is why we have devoted a full page to inform you about the best way to keep your blinds safe. We also provide special fittings that will help make your blinds more safe. Please contact us for information. 

Small children can become entangled in hanging cords with loop ends when playing, climbing or exploring. If they try to sit down, or fall or topple off a chair, they could hang themselves with the loop.

The cord or chain used to open and close the blind could also strangle a child.

These types of tragedies are all too frequent, both in Ireland and around the world. However, making your curtains and blinds safe for children can be cheap and easy.

You can make old blinds or curtains safe by keeping the following points in mind:

• The cords should end at least 1.6 metres (5 feet 3 inches) above the ground so children
•  Replace cords with curtain or blind wands, but avoid possible eye injuries by making sure children cannot reach them.
• Where cords cannot be cut, a tie down or tension device can be used to pull the cord tight and secure it to the floor or wall.

A new safety standard for blinds and curtains is in  place since 23rd of February 2009. “Irish Standard I.S. EN13120 – Internal blinds – Performance requirements including safety” is aimed at eliminating strangulation hazards to young children by blind cords.

All curtains/blinds sold in Ireland must now meet the safety requirements of this standard:

• Ask the shop if the blind has been manufactured in accordance with the standard.
• Check to see if a warning notice is on the blind.
•  A device for keeping cords, chains, tape or similar out of the reach of children should be provided with the blind, or the product should be designed so any mechanism does not pose a strangulation risk.
• Ask the supplier to demonstrate the product’s safe use.

There are several simple steps you can take to minimise risk – and help keep your child safe. A special tie-down device can be used for vertical blinds with continuous loop cords.

The following are illustrations of the type of solutions that may be employed – seek advice from you local blinds/curtain shop or hardware store.

• A special tie-down device can be used for vertical blinds with continuous loop cords.
• Knotting or tying the cords together after cutting the loop is NOT recommended, as this creates a new loop in which a child could become entangled.