Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) research shows homes could have deadly blinds

Research conducted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) shows that thousands of homes could have potentially deadly blind cords.

The research found a significant percentage of the following rooms around the house have blinds fitted more than five years ago, before new safety standards were introduced to prevent death and serious injury from cord accidents:

• 33% of blinds in children’s bedrooms;
• 38% of blinds in hallways; and
• 41% of blinds in kitchens.

Worryingly, nearly two-thirds of blinds in children’s bedrooms have looped cords or chains, which pose the most severe risk. 29% of homes have no safety devices fitted on their blinds.

The new standards for blinds were released in 2014, but only apply to the manufacture and fitting of blind cords, meaning those fitted before 2014 are unlikely to incorporate the new safety standards or be supplied with safety devices.

RoSPA has issued safety tips for blind cords:

• Install blinds that do not have a looped cord;
• Cords on blinds should be kept out of reach of children;
• Do not place a child’s cot, bed or playpen near a window;
• It is not recommended that cords are cut, as they have the potential to become more dangerous