Child Safety

Child Safety

Helping you keep your home safe

At The Blinds Outlet, we want you to enjoy your blinds safely. Correct installation and use of the supplied safety devices are essential, especially in homes where babies and young children live or visit.

Warning: risk of strangulation

Young children can become entangled in blind cords, chains and loops, creating a risk of serious injury or strangulation. Keep all cords and chains out of children’s reach and never allow children to play with them.

Always fit the supplied safety devices

Safety devices are an essential part of your blind’s installation—not an optional accessory.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and fit every supplied safety device before using your blind. Depending on the blind, these may include chain tensioners, cord tidies, cleats or breakaway devices. Never remove or bypass them.

Where a tensioner or cord tidy is supplied, secure it firmly to the appropriate adjoining surface as instructed, so the loop remains held taut rather than hanging freely.

Keep cords secured and out of reach

Follow the manufacturer’s specified fitting heights for your blind and safety device. Cord cleats must be fitted at least 1.5 metres above the floor, out of children’s reach.

After every use, wind all spare cord securely around the cleat in a figure-of-eight pattern. Never leave loose cords dangling or tie cords together.

Keep furniture away from windows

Position cots, beds, highchairs, playpens and other furniture away from windows and blind cords. Children can climb onto furniture and reach cords that would otherwise be out of reach.

Check your blinds regularly

Check that safety devices remain securely fixed and that cords and chains are properly secured. If a device becomes loose, damaged or missing, stop using the blind and keep children away until it has been put right.

Choosing blinds for a family home

Where possible, consider blinds without accessible operating cords or chains, particularly for children’s bedrooms and play areas.

Need help?

If you are unsure how to fit or use a safety device, or a supplied part is missing, please contact us before installing or using your blind. Keep the manufacturer’s instructions for future reference.

For further advice, visit the British Blind and Shutter Association’s Make It Safe website.