Published on 30th May 2024
As parents, ensuring the safety of our little ones is paramount. While we take precautions to childproof our homes, one area that is often overlooked is window blind cords. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), over the past 25 years, there have been at least 25 fatal accidents involving children becoming tangled in blind cords in the UK. Thankfully, with the advent of smart blinds, you can eliminate this risk and enjoy a safer, more convenient home environment.
Traditional window blinds with long, dangling cords pose a serious strangulation risk for curious toddlers and young children. These cords can easily become entangled around a child’s neck, leading to tragic consequences. The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) emphasises the importance of blind cord safety, as even a short fall while entangled can prove fatal.
The risk of blind cord strangulation is not limited to just young children. Pets and even adults can become entangled in these cords, leading to potential injuries or accidents. Ensuring window blind cord safety is crucial to safeguarding the well-being of everyone in your home.
Smart blinds come in various forms, each offering unique features and benefits. Here, we explore three popular types of smart blinds that can enhance blind cord child safety in your home.
Smart blinds eliminate the need for manual pull cords, significantly enhancing child safety around windows. These blinds can be automated, remote-controlled, or motorised, allowing you to open and close them without dangling cords that could pose a strangulation hazard to curious children.
Specifically, smart blinds may include:
Regardless of the control method, smart blinds avoid having any accessible pull cords that children could potentially become entangled in. This cord-free operation enhances blind cord child safety while also providing modern convenience for operating your window coverings.
To maximise the benefits of smart blinds, integrating them with a smart home controller like TaHoma is highly recommended. TaHoma allows you to control your smart blinds using voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant, or via a smartphone app, making it easier to manage your window coverings and improve child proof windows in your home.
While smart blinds significantly reduce the risk of accidents, it’s essential to take additional measures to ensure blind cord safety in your home, especially if you have traditional corded blinds. Here are some tips to further enhance safety:
Cord cleats are simple, inexpensive devices that allow you to tie up loose cords, keeping them out of reach of children. Install these cleats high on the wall, near each window with traditional blinds. Ensure that the cords are always wrapped around the cleat when not in use, preventing them from dangling and posing a strangulation risk.
Cord tensioners are another effective solution for ensuring blind cord safety. These devices keep cords taut and secure, preventing them from forming loose loops that could pose a strangulation hazard. Cord tensioners are particularly useful for homes with young children who may be tempted to play with dangling cords.
While physical safety measures are crucial, it’s also important to educate your children about the dangers of playing with window blind cords. Teach them from an early age that these cords are not toys and should be avoided. Explain the potential risks of becoming entangled or strangled, and encourage them to stay away from window coverings.
Regular inspections of your window coverings are essential to ensure their continued safety. Check for any damage or wear that could compromise the integrity of the cords or safety devices. Replace any blinds that show signs of wear and tear, and ensure that all safety devices, such as cord cleats and tensioners, are functioning correctly.
Upgrade your home with the ultimate in convenience and safety – Smart Blinds! Explore our extensive collection of smart blinds that seamlessly integrate with smart home systems like TaHoma. Say goodbye to dangerous dangling cords and hello to hands-free operation through voice commands or scheduling. With a wide range of stylish designs and materials to choose from, you’ll not only enhance your home’s aesthetic but also prioritise the safety of your loved ones. For more information visit our Knowledge Centre.
