In New South Wales (NSW), there are specific safety requirements for corded blinds and curtains to prevent accidents, especially involving young children.
Here are the key points:
1. Installation Requirements: Corded blinds and curtains must be installed in a way that ensures a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at or less than 1,600 mm above floor level. This helps prevent strangulation hazards.
2. Warning Labels: All corded blinds and curtains must have warning labels on the packaging and attached to the cord itself. These labels must include safety instructions and warnings about the potential strangulation hazard.
3. The installation must comply with the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014. This includes following the installation instructions provided on the packaging
4. Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are required to ensure that all corded window coverings in rental properties are properly fitted and maintained according to the safety standards.
5. Consumer Rights: Consumers have the right to expect that the products they buy are safe. Suppliers who breach these safety standards can face significant fines
A three-year-old boy named Lincoln tragically died after becoming entangled in a blind cord while playing at his home in Melbourne. This incident has sparked calls for changes to safety standards in rental properties and Airbnbs.
NBC News reported that at least 440 children under the age of 8 have been strangled by corded window coverings since 1973. his highlights the ongoing danger posed by accessible cords in homes.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, between one to two children die each year in Australian homes due to corded blinds and curtains.
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