Child Safety Law Newly Established

A new Standard, BS EN 13120:2009 (Internal Blinds - Performance Requirements Including Safety) will assist businesses in manufacturing and supplying products which are safe for consumer use.

As of 17th March 2014 all products manufactured by A1 Blinds will comply with the New Child Safety Laws BS EN 13120.

All blinds with operating cords or chains will be fitted above the height of 1.5 meters or be fitted with the appropriate Child Safety Device.

The steps we will take:

  1. We will attach a warning notice to the product, the safety device and the packaging.
  2. We will provide and fit a device to keep cords and chains or similar out of reach of children.
  3. Where the sale is for “supply only” we will include instructions for fitting the blind, the safety device and its proper use.
  4. Where the product requires a looped operating mechanism, we will provide a means to limit the risk by incorporating it into the design or by an appropriate device supplied with the product.

Advice to domestic customers:

  1. Cords ending in a loop are particularly risky. Where possible operating cords, chains and tapes or similar should be kept short.
  2. Cords should be kept out of the reach of children. Where possible replace cords with curtain or blind wands
  3. A tension device can be used to pull the cord tight and secure it to the floor or wall
  4. Never put a cot, bed, high chair or playpen near a window or patio door where a child can reach a curtain or blind cord
  5. Keep sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or book cases away from windows to prevent children climbing up and reaching curtains or blind cords. People in charge of children are ultimately responsible for following the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer

Advice to Commercial customers:

If you have premises where children under the age of 42 months are present or likely to have access you must install blinds which are compliant with the child safety requirements of EN13120.

We believe this applies to all public buildings and the publicly accessible areas of all commercial buildings.