Local company Siesta Blinds welcomes new laws on window blind safety whcih come into effect in 2014. They are members of the Association which has campaigned for safer blinds, working with the government and EU standards bodies to make child safety standards for new window blinds much more stringent.
New regulations will make it illegal to sell or install a window blind that does not meet the new standard. The rules include maximum cord and chain lengths, the fitting of safety devices at the point of manufacture, product warnings, point of sale information and instructions on packaging.
Jim Forbes of Siesta Blinds says: “We fully support the new regulations and will ensure all new blinds we supply are compliant and fitted coreectly. We are also ready to help any customer who has existing blinds with cords or chains to fit devices to make these safer”
Since 2009 the Association has worked tirelessly to educate consumers on window blinds with cords or chains which could form a hazardous loop and its “make it safe” campaign is endorsed by the Child Accident Trust and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Parents, Grandparents and carers are urged to:
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. Keep the cord or chain out of the each of babies and young children. These devices are low cost easy to retrofit, so you do not have to wait until you replace a blind to impove 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 (ie: a spring operated roller blind) or one which has concealed cords especially for children’s bedrooms.
More information from Siesta Blinds on 309003.