Are Curtains Safe For Babies?

Children are the most precious creatures on the earth. They naturally wonder at the world and take on explorations each and every day. Sometimes, these explorations can get them into trouble, such as when they learn the stove top is hot when it’s turned on, they take a tumble down the stairs, or when they accidentally get tangled in the cords on blinds or curtains. Sadly, the rumors that blinds or curtains can be unsafe for children is true if the adults do not take the proper precautions to make them safe. We are not saying that all homes with children should have bare, open windows; instead, parents need to take special note to make sure that when you buy blinds or curtains online, you install them with your child’s safety in mind.

The Dangers Of Curtains And Blinds

The most significant danger for children, when it comes to curtains and blinds, is the free-flowing cord, chain, or tie loop. On blinds, this is typically the cord or chain that opens or closes the blinds. On curtains, this can be the ties that hold the curtains to the side of the window.

As little children explore, they can become excited or lose their balance, which can lead to accidental strangulation. It can be deadly when the cord goes around their head.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s safety report on Blind And Curtain Cords, “Children have died when the loop went over their head or they got tangled in loose cords while: sleeping in a cot or bed where cords are hanging; playing near cords; or standing on a chair, sofa, or bed to look out a window.”

Luckily, there have not been a high number of deaths caused by curtain or blind cords; however, one death is too many.

How To Protect Children

Parents can protect their children from this fatal ending by following a few steps to improve the safety of their home in regard to blind and curtain cords.

Check the cords.

Look for looped or loose cords that can be reached by the child on the floor or from furniture. Don’t forget to check every single room. Children move fast and can quickly get into a dangerous situation in a room where you are not watching.

Tie the cords out of reach, and rearrange furniture to eliminate this climbing path.

Secure the cords away from a child’s reach.

There are many safety devices available on the market that help you tie cords away from a child’s reach or secure the end of a chain behind a cleat or tensioning device. Do this the right way by using screws; avoid unstable materials such as tape or glue, which can be undone with a bit of pressure.

Purchase safe blinds and curtains online.

Today, parents can buy curtains and blinds that come prepared for child safety. Quickfit sells blinds and curtains online with necessary warnings, precautions, and secure tie-backs or covers to eliminate access to the dangerous loop or loose end of the cord or chain.

Keep the kids away from the cords and chains.

With the curtain cords safely tucked away, the last important safety feature is to keep your children out of reach of the cords. Remove all benches, chairs, beds, sofas, cots, cribs, bookshelves, and other pieces of furniture away from the cords. Finally, children are best kept safe when under adult supervision, so steer your kiddo out of harm’s way by keeping an eye on them as much as possible.

Altogether, the curtains and blinds themselves are safe for children, but it is the cords and chains that accompany the curtains and blinds that cause some worry. If you follow these steps, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of your children injuring themselves with these beautiful window treatments. There’s no need to completely remove window blinds or curtains from your home, but instead baby-proof them just like you would the rest of your home.

For more information about how the blinds and curtains you can buy online at Quickfit are equipped with the proper safety features, contact our team. We are happy to answer all questions.