Is your Central Coast property safe? New laws were introduced in Australia in 2010 by the ACCC and are now mandatory across the country.
If you have purchased an old home that has existing blinds and want to make it safe and comply with the new regulations, you may want to read up on the new laws.
Basically all cords and chains must be secured (drilled firmly) into a lock or cleat attached to the window frame or wall next to the blind. There are exact measurements to comply with which is best to look at the ACCC site listed below. This is to prevent choking by young children.
If you have purchased off the shelf blinds that you are self installing, you still must comply with the new law. Fines can apply. If you are getting professional blind companies to install your blinds, they will be aware of the law and install them correctly. They will also make sure the new warning labels are attached, which are also mandatory.
The new warning labels read:
Warning: young children have died by wrapping loose curtains and blind cords or chains around their necks. Secure cords or chains with cord guides or keep them out of reach by winding them around a cleat. Move cots and furniture away from window covering cords or chains. Do not remove this label. WARNING.
If you have an investment property, you may want to upgrade the blinds with some new locks and safety warning labels as part of your normal maintenance programme.
The ACCC website says:
children can become entangled in blind or curtain cords if they try to use, play with or play around window coverings. Even with raised coverings, children can climb onto window sills or furniture to access the cords. Cords or looped cords that become tangled around a child’s neck can very quickly cause strangulation.
Cords can also strangle infants sleeping or playing in cots placed near a window where cords are within reach, or hang into the cot.
to read more on the new laws click on the link below:-
Mandatory standards for Blinds, Curtains and Window Furnishings.
to purchase the locks, cleats and warning labels from a professional blind manufacturing company click the link below:
blind safety locks and warning labels for sale.
