Melbourne’s vibrant lifestyle often revolves around creating a comfortable and stylish home for families. But with curious little ones exploring every corner, safety becomes paramount. One often-overlooked area is window coverings – blinds, curtains, and shutters, which can pose a strangulation hazard for young children. Here are some essential safety tips for parents choosing window coverings like custom curtains and luxury blinds likemotorised blinds in Melbourne to ensure their homes are havens for both style and safety.
Understanding the Risks
Young children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. Looped cords associated with traditional blinds and curtains pose a significant strangulation hazard. Children can become entangled in loose cords while playing, potentially leading to serious injuries.
The Australian Standards
Thankfully, Australia has strict safety regulations in place to address these risks. Since 2010, it’s mandatory for all blinds and curtains sold in Australia to comply with specific safety standards. These standards ensure cords are either absent or made with breakaway features that detach under a certain amount of pressure. Always look for the safety compliance label when purchasing window coverings in Melbourne.
Going Beyond the Label – Additional Safety Tips
While complying with Australian standards is crucial, there’s always room for additional safety measures, especially when young children are present. Here are some tips for Melbourne parents:
- Choose Cordless Options: The safest option is to choose window coverings with no cords altogether. There are a variety of stylish and functional cordless luxury blinds and shades, including motorised blinds in Melbourne controlled by remote.
- Inspect Existing Blinds: If you have existing blinds with cords, consider retrofitting them with child safety devices. These kits typically involve breakaway clips that detach under a light pull, preventing entanglement.
- Shorten Long Cords: If you must keep blinds with cords, ensure they are short enough not to reach the floor when fully raised. Use cord shorteners or cleats to securely fasten cords high out of reach of children.
- Avoid Tassels and Decorative Pulls: Young children might be attracted to tassels or decorative pulls on blinds and custom curtains. Choose simpler designs to minimise the risk of entanglement.
- Furniture Placement: Avoid placing furniture, such as cribs or chairs, close to windows. This prevents children from climbing and potentially reaching cords or accessing window coverings.
- Educate Your Children: As children grow older, it’s important to educate them about the dangers of cords and blinds. Teach them not to play with window coverings and to leave them alone.
Window Treatment Options for Melbourne Families
Here are some child-safe window treatment options to consider for your Melbourne home:
- Cordless Cellular Blinds: These blinds offer excellent insulation and come in cordless options, making them a safe and stylish choice.
- Roller Blinds: Similar to cellular blinds, roller blinds can be operated with a spring mechanism or a motorised system, eliminating cords entirely.
- Roman Shades: These fabric shades operate with a cord-free pull-down system, providing a classic and elegant look while prioritising safety.
- Plantation Shutters: Plantation shutters are operated with a lever or crank, eliminating cords altogether. They offer excellent light and privacy control while adding a touch of sophistication to your Melbourne home.
- Motorised Blinds: For ultimate peace of mind, consider motorised blinds. Operated by remote control or a smartphone app, they eliminate cords altogether, offering unparalleled convenience and child safety. This option allows for easy control of light and privacy while keeping your children safe from strangulation hazards.
- Curtains: Curtains on their own don’t pose a strangulation hazard. However, ensure they are paired with a safe tie-back system or hung high enough to be out of reach of children.
Creating a Safe and Stylish Home with Allegra Interiors
Keeping your children safe doesn’t mean compromising on style. Melbourne offers a wide range of child-safe window treatment options to suit every taste and budget. By prioritising safety and considering the tips above, you can create a beautiful and functional space where your children can explore and thrive without worry.
Remember, even with child-safe window coverings, adult supervision is crucial. By combining safety measures with constant vigilance, you can ensure your Melbourne home is a haven for both style and child safety, allowing your family to create lasting memories in a comfortable and secure environment. Get a free quote for your custom curtains, luxury blinds or motorised blinds in Melbourne today – we are certified Somfy installers.
