Blind and curtain cords |
All new internal blinds, curtains and window fittings must comply with a mandatory safety standard. Details of the mandatory standard can be obtained from the Product Safety Australia website.
Although the standard is intended to ensure all new window coverings are safe, there are many unsafe blinds, curtains and shades still in Queensland homes.
Since 2000, at least 10 Australian children have died from blind or curtain cord strangulation. A child can place their head in the loop created by a blind or curtain cord. If the child then tries to sit or falls down, they can hang themselves in the loop.
Follow these seven easy steps for blind and curtain cord safety to make sure your home is safe.
- Make sure children cannot reach any blind or curtain cords.
- Make sure the bottom of any blind or curtain cord is at least 160 cm above the floor.
- Move children´s cots, beds, high chairs or play-pens are away from windows with blind or curtain cords.
- Make sure you child cannot climb on furniture and reach the blind or curtain cord.
- Wrap blind cords securely around a hook attached high on the wall.
- Install a cord tensioning device for vertical blinds.
- When installing new blinds, seek advice from the supplier about products that use ´wands´ instead of cords to operate the blinds.
For more information, see blind and curtain cord mandatory safety standards.
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Last reviewed 12/02/2013 |
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