Window Blind Safety Campaign | Home Improvement Expert

The Problem with window blinds

The problem created by over 250 million unsafe window blinds installed in our homes is one that is increasing as the window blind industry sells over 25 million blinds each year and is growing (according to Mintel) at a rate of 6% per annum. Previous casualties and fatalities have been low at 2 deaths in UK each year and 20 plus ?near misses? but during 2010 that figure rose by over 300% to 6 deaths ? near misses are not recorded so far in UK but USA experience is that they run at 10 times the

The Need for a Universal Standard

The hazards associated with blinds are more complex than may first be apparent in that there are a number of different places hazards appear and have proven to be killers. In the detailed analysis carried our by Parents For Window Blind Safety in association with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in USA, they determined 8 different ways a child can strangle. To simplify, a looped cord or chain, be it formed by the operating mechanism or the internal cords found in Venetian and Roman blinds are one set. The single cord or chain is also a risk together with the dual operating system of a vertical blind where cords and chains become tangled and a threat to children. Basically and cord or chain hanging loose is a hazard and a risk to a child.

Research into items in the home that are child threatening revealed that the packaging industry responsible for bottle caps across the World created it?s own safety standard in 1999 and upgraded in 2005 with a performance related standard that tested 200 children?s ability to open the cap under scrutiny in a controlled environment and without training. If 85% cannot open the cap and after training 80% failed but 75% of adults tested could, then the cap was certified as child-resistant.

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This seemed an appropriate standard to emulate but presented a challenge when considering window blind cords and chains. More so when assessing the performance of a safety device designed to reduce or eliminate risk.

After carful analysis of all the hazards and the need for parents to easily identify the risks associated with blinds in places their children live, play or visit for themselves ? no government action is likely to call for the withdrawal of 250+ million blinds and manufacturers are unlikely to be volunteer a recall ? a simple test was determined to cover all hazards and form the basis of a Universal Window Blind Safety Guideline which may be adopted by the Safety Standards bodies and could become a government lead initiative.

The Solution

This came in three parts. Firstly the test, secondly the Guideline, lastly the product.

The Wrap-A-Round Test says that if a window blind cord or chain can be wrapped around your hand, the window blind and the room are UNSAFE. This simple test will allow parents to risk assess any room that their child spends time in and advise or take action to make it safe.
The Guideline sets out how a blind or safety device can become Child-Resistant through a similar set of tests to those in the packaging industry carried out by children and adults under controlled conditions.?The detail can be viewed at WindowBlindSafe.com ? Universal Window Blind Safety Guideline.
Finally, a product was designed that met the tests and Guideline. It is called windowblindsafe.

The Future

The industry across the World cannot ignore pressure from the Consumer Protection Safety Commission to make new blinds child -resistant and have undertaken in USA, and more recently UK, to write a new safety standard for window blinds. It is hoped the work done by windowblindsafe will contribute to that standard.

We are well placed as the first product to market that meets the UWBSG and are riding the crest of a growing call for greater safety which will eventually lead to the industry and other home safety manufacturers designing alternative retro-fit products that meet the UWBSG.

As the market develops, we have plans to add to the range and have already designed a smaller version for conservatories and small windows and have plans to develop more safety solutions for the home.

For more information on the safety of Venetian, Roller, Roman and Vertical go to www.windowblindsafe.com

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John ASTLEY ? About the Author:

Campaigning grandparents John and Pat Astley were horrified by the growing UK death toll of children killed by looped window blind cords and by the complacency of the industry and authorities to tackle it. They decided to do something about it. Their articles feature the invention of WindowBlindSafe, the simple solution to securing a child?s safety, and of their campaign to prevent any more children dying in tragic circumstances in the supposed safety of their own homes.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/window-blind-safety-campaign-4147171.html

Source: http://www.carlmarlinga.com/window-blind-safety-campaign

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