child safety

New european standards have recently become law in the UK. It is now a requirement that new blinds must be 'safe by design' or be supplied with appropriate child safety devices installed.

The new regulations apply in the following circumstances

• where there is a loop present in a blind it will be fitted during manufacture with a safety device that will break under pressure
• safety devices will also be supplied to secure the cord to a wall.
• The standard also imposes a maximum cord and chain length and minimum fixing heights

Brite Blinds now install all blinds to comply with the new regulations.

How does this affect you?

A lot of traditional blinds now have to be fitted with a safety device if you require corded or chain operation. On blinds such as roller blinds you will not really notice a difference. We have been fitting 'easy break' connectors for years. But some blinds such as vertical blinds will now have to have their cords fixed 1.5m above ground level and be retained in a child safety device. Venetian blinds now require easy break devices on the cords but will also have to have cleats fitted for the cords to be wrapped around.

The regulations do not cover existing blinds installed before the regulations came into force, however if you have any concerns about your existing blinds we can advice on what measures can be taken to make them safer for use around children.

Are there any other options?

There are many 'Safe by Design' options available for the majority of standard blinds such as wand operation for vertical blinds and spring operation for roller blinds. Aluminium venetian blinds are available with Uniwand and the new Slidewand operation. Hand operated INTU and Perfect fit blinds are available for most UPVC windows. See below for the most common 'Safe by Design' options.

Is there anything else I should consider?

ROSPA and the BBSA with their 'Make it safe' campaign have the following recommendations relating to new and existing blinds

• 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.

INTU Blinds

INTU blinds are designed with safety in mind. No operating cords and they fit most modern UPVC windows. Available as venetian, pleated or roller blind.

Perfect Fit Blinds

Perfect fit venetian, pleated, vision and roller blinds can be made without cords and fit most modern UPVC windows.

Mono Control Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds can be fitted with a mono control system. A single wand replaces the two cords usually used to operate the blind.

Roller Blinds

Our chain operated roller blinds come with easy break chain connectors. Or alternatively the traditional spring roller blind is still available.

Motorised Blinds

There are many blinds that can be motorised this usually removes any hanging cords or chains from the blind making a safe alternative to traditional operation.

Smartcord Blinds

SmartCord™ uses a revolutionary and patented cord mechanism to raise and lower the blind. It features a retractable pull cord that maintains a constant cord length. This is available on Duette blinds.

Literise/Smartrise Blinds

SmartRise is a completely cordless system and ultimate in child safety, this cordless push up, pull down system raises and lowers the product with the touch of a finger. This is available on Duette and Pleated blinds.

Wand Control Panel Blinds

Panel blinds can be wand operated eliminating the need for hanging cords or chains. The blind is simply operated with a wand to slide the panels.