By Jason Donlon, Millennium Blinds
Blinds are one of those things you stop noticing once they are up. For a home with small children though the cords and chains that operate an older blind deserve a second look, because a looped cord within reach of a toddler is a real hazard rather than a theoretical one.
Why loose cords are the concern
Young children explore with their hands and mouths and a hanging loop is exactly at their height near a cot or a play area. Safety bodies around the world have pushed the industry towards cordless and tensioned designs for this reason. The Window Covering Safety Council has clear guidance on keeping cords out of reach, and it is worth a read if you have little ones at home.
Safer ways to operate a blind
The good news is that a safe blind no longer means a boring one. There are several ways to remove the risk without giving up on style.
- Cordless blinds that you simply push up or pull down by hand, with no loop at all.
- Motorised blinds that run off a remote or an app, which also happen to be wonderful for hard to reach windows.
- Chain tensioners and cord cleats that anchor any remaining chain tight against the wall and well out of reach.
For a nursery or a playroom a cordless or motorised option is the simplest peace of mind you can buy.
Room by room thinking
You do not have to make every window in the house identical. A sensible approach is to prioritise the rooms where children spend unsupervised time, so cots, bedrooms and play areas come first. Living areas and studies where an adult is usually present can follow later. When you plan it this way the upgrade feels manageable rather than a whole house project.
Choosing without the guesswork
Fabric choice still matters for a child’s room. A blockout keeps a bedroom dark for daytime naps while a softer sunscreen suits a play area that you want bright but glare free. You can compare both by ordering a few swatches through our swatch sample service before you decide.
When you are ready our configurator lets you pick the control type along with the fabric and size, so you can specify a safer operation from the start. You can also browse the full range on the shop page. A beautiful blind and a safe one are not a trade off, and a little planning now means one less thing to worry about later.
