· Michael Blair
Accessible blind cords are a documented strangulation risk for young children, which is why the industry moved toward cordless as the default for stock products.
The hazard
A looped or long cord within reach of a cot, bed or any climbable furniture. Children can become entangled quickly and silently, and it happens in ordinary rooms rather than unusual ones.
Continuous loop cords on vertical blinds and roller shades are included, not only traditional pull cords.
What to do with existing blinds
Replace them with cordless where the budget allows, particularly in bedrooms and playrooms. Where not, retrofit kits with cord cleats, tension devices and breakaway tassels are inexpensive.
Move cots and climbable furniture away from windows regardless.
- Cordless in any room a young child uses
- Retrofit cleats, tensioners and breakaway tassels otherwise
- Move cots and furniture away from windows
- Check holiday lets and grandparents’ houses too
- Continuous loop cords count as a hazard
Cordless options
Spring-loaded lift systems, motorised, and shutters or blinds operated by a wand. All are widely available and prices have fallen considerably.
Motorised is worth considering for tall or hard-to-reach windows regardless of children, and battery versions need no wiring.
Where the risk gets forgotten
Houses without children that children visit — grandparents, rentals, holiday accommodation. Those are the settings where corded blinds persist longest.
A handful of retrofit kits is a very small cost for that.