Window blind safety - Make it Safe

Published on 27th June 2019

The British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) provides advice on how to make sure the internal window blinds you specify and/or install are compliant with regulations.

According to RoSPA unrestrained window blind cords and chains have been responsible for at least 33 child fatalities since 1999, 18 of which have occurred since 2010.

In which buildings do the standards apply?

All homes (including rentals and holiday lets), public buildings and publicly accessible areas of commercial buildings (for example reception areas).

What do the standards require?

All internal window blinds must either be inherently safe or if a hazardous loop could be formed in cords and chains that operate the blind it must be provided/installed with safety devices.

You can see the specific requirements by window blind product here.

What are inherently safe window blinds?

These are blinds which do not use any cords or chains (or have concealed or tensioned cords) to operate the blind. These blind styles should always be considered first.

Spring operated roller blinds, wand operated vertical blinds and motorised products are some examples but you can see many more here.

What about existing blinds?

If the client does not want to change existing blinds then the products should still be made safer by the addition of appropriate safety devices.

The BBSA has created videos showing how to make the five most popular blind styles safer and these can be seen here:

Roller blinds
Vertical blinds
Venetian blinds (wood and aluminium slats)
Pleated blinds
Roman blinds

Do the standards apply even if there are no children present in a home for example?

Yes. The EU Decision which mandated the changes to the standards states:

“In order to reduce the risk of strangulation and internal asphyxiation internal window blinds (and corded window coverings) shall be of an inherently safe design. Every possible means, based in the state of the art and technology, shall be considered for the safe design of the product, when used in all reasonably foreseeable environments where young children have access to or are likely to be present, such as, for example, homes, hotels, hospitals, churches, shops, schools, nurseries, and public places in general. Blinds and window coverings to be fitted in offices or any other place, which is transformed from its initial destination and where young children are likely to be present, shall also be subject to the present requirements.”

What about blinds for people living with disabilities?

In this situation you would need to comply with the General Product Safety Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act by selecting a product which is child safe but operable by the client.

What about corded curtain tracks?

The BBSA understands these are subject to the same requirements as corded window blinds based on the EU Decision.

In the scope of test method standard BS EN 16433:2014 it states:

“Although at the time this standard has been published no standard exists for draperies [curtains], test methods specified in the present standard may be used for such products.”

There is currently no standard for curtain tracks and draperies and so it is highly likely that Trading Standards will use the standard detailed above for curtain tracks as the EU Decision states:

“Draperies, insect screens and blinds in sealed-glazed units, if operated with cords, chains and ball-chains or similar, which are accessible and form a hazardous loop are also subject to these requirements [of the EU Decision]”.