In the USA, the lobby group Parents for Window Blind Safety, raises awareness of the dangers window blinds cause for young children. In the UK there is no such group.<\/p>\n
In research commissioned by Apollo Blinds, nearly 90 per cent of UK homes that have small children as part of the family do not have safety devices on blind cords or chains.<\/p>\n
Window blinds can be incredibly dangerous, and children in the UK have died or been seriously injured as a result of getting them caught around their neck. Statistics indicate at least one child every year has a fatal encounter with the fixture.<\/p>\n
Apollo Blinds is using Child Safety Week as an opportunity to raise awareness to the potential dangers, and offer alternative products.<\/p>\n
General manager at Apollo Blinds,Gary Chambers explained: \u201cAll of our made-to-measure blinds come with a safety warning sign attached to them to alert customers to the potential dangers of looped cords, but our research has highlighted more must be done to encourage parents to keep their home safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re working with our team of Apollo consultants at grass roots level to ensure all customers are aware of the ease and importance of fitting blinds without cords or using additional safety products, which in some cases can cost less than a standard fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n
EuroSafe, the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, said: \u201cWindow blinds\/drapery cords are a strangulation hazard. Children become entangled in the pull cords or in the inner cords that are used to raise the slats of blinds. These entrapments can occur when a young child pulls on an inner cord and it forms a loop that a child can hang in.”<\/p>\n
Apollo Blinds have put together five simple safety tips for child proofing Wwndow blinds.<\/p>\n
1. Choose blinds without cords –\u00a0 Apollo\u2019s Easy Glide system for vertical blinds removes the risk of strangulation as it has no chain at all. Vertical blinds simply pull across and open and close all with the wand. What\u2019s even better that this product is 10% cheaper than standard vertical blind fittings!<\/p>\n
Apollo\u2019s slider wand also has no cords at all and uses a pump action to open and close the blind, as well as tilt the slats. This comes in at \u00a325.00 but is extremely neat and safe.<\/p>\n
Use pleated or Duette blinds without a cord, which simply use push and pull handles to raise and lower it.\u00a0 Prices start at \u00a370.08 for a 400mm x 600mm blind.<\/p>\n
2. Tie it up – The Uni Wand is ideal for venetian blinds. The cords pass through the wand that\u2019s used for tilting the slats, but hook on to the base of the wand when the blind is raised so they\u2019re not left dangling – which again keeps hazardous cords away from small inquisitive hands and heads. The Uni-Wand is available from Apollo for \u00a35.00 per blind.<\/p>\n
3. Guard it! – Control-Guard Cord Safety Device is a low cost solution for increased child safety. This simple unit, suitable for roller, roman and vertical blinds, houses the operating chains and cords, and secures against the wall. Control-Guard costs just \u00a310.00 per blind and is fitted on to a new blind.<\/p>\n
4. Wind it up – As a retro fit option, use a Blind Cord Shortener device available from baby equipment suppliers such as the The Baby Catalogue for just \u00a32.50.\u00a0 This winds the cord up and keeps it out of reach.<\/p>\n
5. Cut the Cord – Whatever you do, don\u2019t have a loop – simply Cut Window Blind Cords and use Safety Tassels to help prevent children from strangling in blind cord loops.<\/p>\n
Apollo Blinds has also produced a new Child Safety brochure that focuses on how to manage the risks and safety features available.<\/p>\n