Budget Blinds Support ROSPA Make It Safe Campaign For Blind Cord Safety

Budget Blinds are a long standing company based in Bolton who are welcoming a change in legislation for blind safety and are actively in support of the ROSPA campain to 'Make It Safe' a blind cord safety campaign.

In February last year, two toddlers in Staffordshire died within five days of each other after becoming entangled in looped blind cords

More about these awful events can be read on BBC Website on the links below

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10384256

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-15259630

The BBC states that

The current European standard, known as EN13120, states that safety devices must be supplied for looped blind cords. At the moment, the minimum requirement is a separate hook, which can be used to tie the loose cord, and a safety warning.

But this standard is now being strengthened so that new blinds come with built-in safety devices such as chain-break connectors, which allow the cord to break apart when pressure is applied, and wall anchors, which firmly secure the operating cord.

It is hoped that this standard, being decided by the EU Commission, will come into force in 2012 and will affect everyone involved in designing, manufacturing, selling or installing internal blinds where children live or may visit.

Since 2004 ROSPA have been campaigning for a change in legislation to improve the safety of window blinds. Their 'Make It Safe' Campaign offers the following advice 

• Install blinds that do not have a cord, particularly in a child's bedroom
• Do not place a child's cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window
• Pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and kept out of reach
• Tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
• Do not hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on the cot or bed
• Don't hang drawstring bags where a small child could get their head through the loop of the drawstring.