As a member of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), Loveless Cook Blinds welcome new regulations that came into effect in 28th February 2014 and relate to the installation of window blinds. The BBSA has been campaigning for safer blinds and has worked with the UK government and EU standards bodies to develop new standards that will lead to safe blinds for children and vulnerable people being developed.
The new regulations will make it illegal to sell or professionally install a window blind that does not meet the standards. The new standards include maximum cord and chain lengths, the fitting of safety devices at the point of manufacture, product warnings, point of sale information and instructions on packaging.
We fully support the new regulations and as well as ensuring all the new window blinds we manufacture are compliant, we are also ready to help any customers who would like advice regarding the installation of appropriate safety devices for existing window blinds.
The BBSA's ‘Make it Safe’ campaign urges parents, grandparents and carers to:
- Examine every blind in the home, especially in children's bedrooms. If any have looped control chains or cords then you are advised to ensure a safety device is fitted to keep the cord or chain out of the reach of babies and young children. Safety devices are low-cost and easy to retrofit so can be done simply, without having to replace the entire blind.
- Move furniture away from windows and blinds - remember that young children love to climb.
- When buying a new blind always look for a product that has been manufactured without a cord or chain, or that have concealed cords.
For advice on the alternative types of blind available, safety devices, or to talk about the steps Loveless Cook Blinds are taking to adhere to these new standards, do not hesitate to contact us on 01603 789678 or websales@lovelesscookblinds.co.uk.
More information can also be found by visiting the Make it Safe website.
