Blind and Curtain Cord Safety for protecting children
Take these four simple steps to ensure that blind and curtain cords/chains are out of reach of children, particularly from children under six.
1. Check your blind and curtain cords
• Check for loose or looped cords that your child can reach from the floor or by climbing on furniture.
• Immediately tie cords out of reach and move away any furniture children might climb on to reach them.
• Do this anywhere you are staying, including on holiday.
2. Secure your cords out of reach
• Buy cleats or tensioning devices for securing cords from a hardware store or curtain and blind shop.
• Use screws to fix each cleat or tensioning device in a place that is out of reach of children.
• Never secure these devices with materials that may fail when a load is placed on them, such as double-sided tape or glue.
• If you cannot fix your unsafe cords and chains out of reach yourself, get a reliable tradesperson to do it for you. If you are renting your home, seek help from your landlord or agent.
3. Choose safe blinds and curtains. Buy new curtains and blinds which:
• comply with the national mandatory standard
• have warning labels to remind you of dangers to children
• provide a way to secure cords/chains so there are no loops or strands that children can reach, or
• operate without exposed cords/chains.
4. Keep children away from all cords/chains
• Move anything a young child can sit in, stand or climb on (like cots, highchairs, beds, sofas, tables, chairs and bookshelves) away from cords/ chains—even those tied around a cleat, as your child may be able to untie them.
• Do not let children play near cords/chains they can reach.
• Never leave children alone in a room with cords/chains they can reach.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.5% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!
Lions Book Fair
Sale continues TOMORROW (Saturday) 9am. You’ve donated and now we’re ready for the sale. Great fiction & beautiful non fiction. Children’s books and a huge collection of car magazines and books.