Published on:
04
October 2010
A Trading Standards campaign is underway to highlight the potential dangers of window blind cords and chains. These can pose a risk for babies, children and vulnerable people and can result in strangulation or serious injury. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) report that one or two children die each year after becoming tangled in blind cords or chains. ROSPA believe that there are also many more near-misses.
"Trading Standards are delivering 'Make it Safe' leaflets around the Stirling and Clackmannanshire communities," said Trading Standards Officer Lindsay McNeil. "Many houses already have blinds fitted, and it is vital that people are made aware of the potential dangers that these cords pose and how accidents can be prevented."
Councillor Carrick, portfolio holder for sustainability said, "Blind cords can so easily be made safe and possibly save a child from injury, so I urge Clackmannanshire and Stirling residents to listen to the Councils' message and pick up a leaflet."
The leaflet has been designed by the British Blind and Shutter Association and shows how to reduce the risk from looped blind cords and chains. It gives examples of safety devices that are now available. Anyone wishing a copy of the leaflet can pick one up at nurseries, libraries and doctors' surgeries in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire areas, or contact Lindsay McNeil at Trading Standards on 0845 277 7000/01786 443322 or mcneill@stirling.gov.uk
Trading Standards currently enforce The General Product Safety Regulations 2005. These regulations give a definition of what the term 'safe' means. Businesses should be supplying internal window blinds which are safe as defined under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and any associated European or British Standard.
British Standard EN 13120:2009 was introduced to improve the safety of internal window blinds and applies to all such blinds manufactured after February 2009.
Section 8.2 of the Standard deals with the risk of strangulation.
The steps it requires are:
However this Standard will not cover blinds manufactured and fitted before this time, which is why it is important to raise awareness of the dangers of blind cords.