Write a commentFollowing the weekend's terrible tragedy resulting in the death of Two year old Daniel Grant in Mayobridge following an accident involving domestic blinds, Newry and Mourne District Council have produced an information pack for anyone with any concerns.
If your concerns aren't answered here or you any further queries in relation to blind cord safety or any other health and safety issue in relation to children please contact Newry and Mourne District Council on 028 3031 3031 and ask for Home Safety.
Do you have safety devices fitted to your blinds? If not, are you aware that there are such devices?
If you have vertical, venetian, roman, roller or pleated blinds then you can fit a cord cleat which are readily available at DIY and hardware stores.
If you have vertical, venetian or roman blinds then you can fit a cord securing clip shaped like the letter "P".
If you have vertical, venetian, roller or roman blinds then you can fit a chain tassel to the cords.
If you have venetian blinds then you can fit a chain stop to the top end of the control cord.
If you have venetian blinds you can get breakaway tassels.
If you have vertical blinds a mono control rod, replaces the chain and cord used in vertical blinds.
If you have venetian blinds the ultra wand combines titling and rising/lowering of the venetian blind into one control. When the blinds are raised lift cords can be wrapped around the cleats attached to the wand, eliminating free hanging cords.
If you have vertical blinds you can request sewn in weights in the bottom of these blinds. This reduces the risk from the chains normally hanging at the bottom of these vertical blinds. Normally found in PVC vertical blinds and Soft Sheer blinds.
INTU blinds are specially designed without hanging cords so are safer for young children.
If you are thinking of buying new blinds
You can request blind cord safety devices to be fitted to the blinds that you are purchasing. Some companies may charge extra for this service.
If you have any tie backs for curtains on hooks
Please remove the tie backs of these hooks as they too pose a serious strangulation risk for young children.
