Cords, chains and BS EN 13120
The hazard is a loop. A looped cord or chain hanging within reach of a cot, bed or climbable furniture is what the child safety standard for internal blinds, BS EN 13120, was written to remove. It sets where a cord can end, how a chain must be secured, and which safety devices a blind needs before it is sold or fitted.
BBS fits devices to BS EN 13120 on every blind and adjusts them at the window, with chains and cords secured at the correct height. That is not an upgrade you have to ask for. It applies to every blind we fit, in a nursery or a sitting room.
If you want no cord at all, ask about Perfect Fit blinds, which sit in the window frame and move with the window, or a wand operated vertical blind. Motorised blinds are the other cord free option and suit roof windows and high glazing.
Begin with the room, not the colour
Colour and fabric matter, but the first discussion for a room used by children should be how the blind operates. Tell BBS whether it is a nursery, bedroom, playroom or shared family space, and who will use the window each day.
Current blind systems use different controls. Some are operated by a handle or tensioned mechanism, some fit directly into a compatible window frame, and some may be motorised. The suitable choice depends on the product, opening and room. Ask BBS to show you the current options and the information supplied with them before ordering.
Look at everything within reach
The arrangement of the room matters. Keep cots, beds, chairs, toy boxes and other climbable furniture away from windows and blind controls. Revisit the layout as a child grows, because something that was out of reach may not stay that way.
Do not tie, knot or improvise a repair to a control. If a part is loose, damaged or missing, stop using the blind and ask for advice on the correct replacement or repair.
Check the window itself
Handles, vents, opening sections and the depth of the recess can affect which system fits neatly. A frame-fitted blind may suit some glazed doors or windows, while other openings may call for a roller, Roman or Venetian design.
A proper measure also helps prevent a blind from interfering with the way the window opens. Show the fitter how the room is normally arranged, rather than clearing everything away and hiding a practical conflict.
Keep the guidance with the blind
Retain the product information and show other carers how the blind is meant to be used. Regularly check that controls and fittings remain secure and that furniture has not moved into the window area.
This guide is general household advice, not a substitute for the instructions supplied with a particular product. BBS should confirm the current option and documentation for your chosen blind before the order is placed.
