Loose blind/curtain cords, particularly ones with a loose cord are dangerous. Children have died when the loop of the cord goes over their head or gets entangled while they are:

  • Sleeping in the cot/bed which is placed near a window blind.

  • Playing near the cords.
  • Standing on a sofa or a chair to look out of the window.

To prevent this mishaps, we can follow these four easy steps to ensure child safety:

  • Check for loose blinds and curtains cords: Check for loose cords which your child can reach by climbing on furniture or from the floor. Immediately, tie the cords out of reach and move any piece of furniture on which the child can climb to reach the cords. This should be done anywhere you are staying, even on a holiday.

  • Secure Cords Out Of Reach: If your blinds are not supplied with child safety cleats or tensioning devices, purchase one from your local hardware store or from online blinds shop. Always use screws to fix the device in place. Never secure with materials which can easily come off when a slight pressure is applied, such as glue or double sided tape. Seek help from a professional tradesperson to install these devices, if you can not do it yourself.

  • Always choose child safe window furnishings: Buy new curtains and blinds which:

    • Comply with the mandatory child safety standard
    • Have warning labels which remind you of the dangers
    • Supply Child Safety device which can secure the loose cords and chains in place
    • Offer a child safety option such as wand operation.
  • Keep Children Away From Loose Cords and Chains: Move any pieces of furniture away from the window. Never put a high chair near the window. Children are always curious of their surroundings and can find ways to look out of the window or reach out for that string hanging from the blinds.

As they rightly say, better safe than sorry! It is best to never leave young kids alone around loose cords and chains. Children are always fascinated with their surroundings and want to grab anything that catches their attention. Securing the cords in place will ensure a safe environment for our society as a whole.