It requires manufacturers to include a warning label about cords on the packaging and attached to the cord itself. . The regulations require: safety devices to prevent cords or chains from forming a hazard the testing of all safety critical items of internal blinds the testing of blinds using safety devices the installation of safety devices on all blinds in manufacture maximum cord and chain lengths - must end 1.5 metres above the floor The Regulations affect all blinds, but the relevant Cord Safety Regulations only affect: Blinds with hanging cords/chains longer than 200mm. To this end, the newest and highly anticipated window covering child safety regulations go into effect December 15, 2018. Samantha Cox, a member of Oldham Council's environmental health team . Cords may become wrapped around a child's neck. Get a quote In 2018 the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) decided on new standards for child safety to go into effect by December 15, 2018. The Office of Fair Trading recommends the bottom of any blind cord is at least 160cm above the floor level. Anchor to the floor or wall continuous-loop cords for draperies and blinds. Research and statistics. Moving Furniture Away from the Windows When buying a new blind, always look for one that does not contain cords, has concealed cords or has an in-built safety device and that complies with the new European Standards. I have other questions - can you help? Without this device the blind is not compliant, even if the chain is 150cms or more off the floor. Fasten up all cords in a figure of eight after using a blind. There are four different types of blinds covered by the regulations. Health Canada is aware of 39 deaths in Canada concerning the strangulation hazard posed by corded window coverings since 1989. Cords should end at least 1.6 metres above the ground so children cannot reach them. Between 1990 and 2015, more than 16,000 children were injured. To keep them out of children's reach you should secure these cords with either tie-downs (cleats) or tension devices that enclose cords and chain loops. An Important Update Regarding the Sale of Corded Window Coverings In Canada, Effective May 1st In an effort to eliminate strangulation hazards to children due to dangling lift cords, new Corded Window Covering Regulations have been issued in Canada. The mandatory standard for blinds, curtains and window fittings (in place from 30th December 2010) requires all new window furnishings to come with warning labels and to be installed with tensioning devices. Place safety gates at the entrance or exit to any room that's off-limits to baby, such as a formal living room. These new rules restrict the length of reachable cords and the size of loops, applying to all indoor window coverings withRead More Window Blind Safety Regulations | Blind Cord Safety Laws - Safety Habit To avoid this, most importantly follow blind cord safety kit. 12 The standard has been revised 6 times, most recently in 2014, in attempts to reduce various strangulation risks associated with different window blind cord types and . despite the introduction of Blind Cord Safety Regulations in . Child safety advocates have been pushing manufacturers to ban window . A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least . No part of a cord guide or a loose cord may hang lower than 1600mm above floor level, unless the cord guide will remain firmly attached to the wall when a tension force of 70N is applied for 10 seconds in any direction, and the loose cord is secured to prevent the formation of a loop 220mm . The Blind Cord Safety Regulations 2014 covers venetian blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds and pleated blinds, honeycomb blinds, Roman shades, Austrian/Festoon blinds, panel blinds, plantation shutters and roll-up blinds. -- By the end of 2018, U.S. consumers shopping for window blinds will see only standard models without accessible cords. Blinds with pull cords must meet the following regulations: Name of manufacturer or trademark must be visible on the blind. . Death can occur in less than six minutes. Cords on blinds (and also curtains) that are elsewhere in the home should be kept short and out of reach of children - tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available Do not place a child's cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window Do not hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on a cot or bed Make sure all of your houseplants are non-toxic varieties. It had not been replaced before the family arrived in 2020 despite the introduction of Blind Cord Safety Regulations in 2014. Window blind cords can be a risk to babies, small children and vulnerable people. Quite simply, all hazardous cords, chains and loops must be removed or made safe. Any cord that is longer, such as inner cords, cannot produce a loop larger than 44 cm when a specific pull force is applied. The child safety requirements of these standards run to some 40 pages but in summary the 2014 standards require: Safety devices for preventing any cords or chains from creating a hazardous loop The testing of all safety critical systems of internal blinds The testing of blinds using safety systems New blind safety laws in 2014. Ensure that cord stops are installed properly and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords. These new regulations mean a big change for your window covering choices in Canada. This is the first thing to remember as a responsible parent. The CWCR recognizes any cord on a product as a corded window covering. The safety kit contains a device that tensions looped cords to a window frame so they are no longer loose, reducing the likelihood of strangulation. According to a news release issued by Health Canada, the new regulations . Dangers & Legal Standards. Maximum cord length of 1.5 metres above the floor To keep documentation of warnings and instructions Why is blind safety important? The new regulations restrict the length of the cords and the size of the loops found on window coverings sold in Canada. It takes just over 22 centimetres of cord to strangle a child, 15 seconds for a child to become unconscious, and 4 minutes for brain damage to occur. Be aware that the release of small parts can cause a child to choke if swallowed. Public Buildings Blinds in public buildings as well as accessible areas of commercial premises and other buildings must be safe. The blinds/curtains must be installed in accordance with the installation instructions on any retail packaging for the covering. Cut the cord to get rid of the loop and install tassels. Corded blinds are dangerous to children and pets. We ask consumers to ensure the safety of children & pets by periodically checking to make certain cords & chains on existing blinds in their homes have been secured in a way to prevent access by children and . Summary Of The Key Requirements of BS EN 13120 - Child Safety For Blinds apply? On May 1, 2021, Health Canada reduced the length of cords allowed on window blinds to 22 centimetres and the perimeters of loops created by reachable cords to 44 centimetres. *If the blind's height is 2.5 m, then pull cords shall be 1 m. *If the blind's height is >2.5 m, then the pull cords shall be the height of the curtain minus 1.5 m. *The distance between the two strands of the loop shall be no more than 50 mm adjacent to the tensioning device. Make sure that cords do not twist and create a loop. An industry group estimates a total of 4,900 jobs will be lost as Canadian manufacturers are forced . You can retro-fit your old blinds to make them safe in your home by following these steps: Cords ending in a loop are particularly risky. Mom Natasha Ogden lost her one-year-old son Kane earlier this year after he got caught in the cords used to pull up window blinds. Federal regulations dictate that a continuous cord loop must be attached securely to the wall with a tensioner or be cut into two cords with safety tassels added to the bottom of each loose cord. Health Canada's 'confusing and unworkable' regulations spur fight with window blind industry . Under this regulation, cords and chains must be secured with a cleat or clip. Our guidance on ensuring quality and safety with Nuance blinds. Blind cord safety. There have been at least 33 child deaths across the UK due to looped cords since 1999. Blinds with pull cords. Children between 1 - 3 years old are most at risk. Blinds with cords/chains longer than 200mm, where the cords can be pulled through the blinds. Kane died after becoming tangled in a blind cord Credit: MEN Media. Avoid low-hanging cords Make sure the bottom of any blind or curtain cord is at least 160cm above the floor. Evans Roman Blind Cord Breakaways with Mike - Prevent Callbacks. Blind cord safety has been on the agenda for some time, with RoSPA leading a long-term campaign to improve saftey. Reduce cord and chain lengths where possible so that there is a minimum distance of 1.5m between the bottom of the chain/cord loop and the floor. Absolutely. To try to reduce the injury risk to children, there have been voluntary regulations placed on blind cords for window manufacturers for several years. As from 1 st October 2014, all pull cords for all blinds (whether old or newly fitted) must be 1 meters from the floor to avoid posing a health and safety issue.. Any blind that has cords that form a loop must have either a small safety bracket or cleat hook on the wall to enable the cords to be secured/taut, with no 'give' to pose a . "Window covering cords should hang no lower than 160 centimeters from the ground, and should be tied up against a wall using hooks or cleats. To address this risk of strangulation, the. Always fix tie-downs and tension devices firmly to the wall or window-frame to prevent a child from remove them. Though functional, the cords proved to be an unforseen hazard that came more and more clearly into focus. This measure was introduced to reduce hazards caused by blinds with cords or chains. What is in the safety kit The safety kit contains five plastic devices with screws and instructions. Making existing blinds safer is quick and easy and any new blinds must be compliant - Click to see more. New Child Safety Standards - Effective December 2018. The cord must be secured as shown after each and every operation of the blind. The bottom loop of the chain or cord must be 150cms from the floor and secured with an Evans Textiles 781180 safety device, without the safety device the product is not . Until that moment, I hadn't ever . In the past, these kinds of rules were only intended for operating cords. Move cots, beds and any furniture away from windows and blinds Watch on. What are (if any) the exceptions? Lock cords into position whenever blinds or shades are lowered. Operating Chains & Cords Whatever the height at which the blind is fixed, the chain must be no less than 150cms off the floor AND secured with a complaint safety device. Detailed guidance, regulations and rules. Corded blinds and curtains must be installed in a way that ensures a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at or less than 1,600 mm above floor level. In 1996, the WCMA, in cooperation with the CPSC and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), issued a voluntary safety standard to address looped window blind cords. Campaign for curtain cord safety. Safety tassels, which join the ends of blind cords together and separate when pressure is applied, are available from hardware stores. Not to mention my child safety is my number one priority. EFA 2010 007 Window cords and blinds . Installing the kit To install the device: Pull the cord through the device Also remove any devices that form dangling loops anywhere on the cords. Roughly one child per month dies from blind cord strangulation, and more than 600 children per year are injured. Keep blind cords out of the reach of young children. Safety tips for long accessible cords on blinds and window coverings Health risks In Canada, there have been many reports of strangulation deaths and near-fatal incidents caused by blinds and window coverings with long accessible cords. 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