When it comes to the safety of children; you do whatever it takes to keep them safe and out of harm. Parents think that their children are safe inside the house rather when they are outdoors. But there are many common household items that can be very dangerous for them.
How many children suffer from Blinds and Shutters accidents?
Children from the ages of 3 months to 5 years suffer the most from accidents occurring in the house. Majorities of the injuries in children are caused by the Windows Blinds and Shutters. It has been estimated that several children are in accidents and amongst them many die.
Why the Shutters and blinds are dangerous?
You must be wondering that how come a very simple thing as the shutters and blinds can be the cause of injury and in some cases death of children? Researchers have been debating and pinpointing the problems in the blinds and shutter that lead to tragedy. They have been pressing on the following dangers.
The Cords can strangle
The most common of all accidents that are related to window blinds safety hazards is that children can get tangled into the long cords and ropes of the blinds. At times the damage done is far less disastrous but many children are not so lucky and the injury can be fatal.
Head of the child stuck in Flaps
If the flaps of the blinds and shutters are missing or broken then the head of children and especially a toddler can be stuck into it. It could panic the child and he/ she will be unable to breathe. Or it will most definitely cause injury to the head.
Untangling is difficult
Small children don’t have much control over their muscles and body movements. This is a big reason why they move their hands and feet when they are in trouble. This could complicate the situation as they can’t untangle themselves. This condition can occur with toddlers who want to touch everything.
Hands can be injured
There are minor injuries that are related to window blinds. These are the ones that involve the hand and fingers. The small fingers of the child can get stuck in the middle of two flaps of the blinds and the child can hurt the fingers or they can break as the body structure of the child is delicate.
Swallowing the Piece of Blinds
When the blinds and shutters that you installed have reached their lifetime; they become flawed and can easily break. This is an alarming situation for the parents as the children can bite on the flaps and swallow a piece of it. The piece can run down in the throat and the child could chock on it.
How to make Blinds and Shutters safer?
There are many blinds manufacturing companies like Outdoor Blinds Southwest who are working with child safety organizations to make the mechanism of the binds and shutter safer for the children. Several of the experts are suggesting that parents should take precautions in the house until the companies create safer blinds and shutters.
Checking of the Length of the Cords
Several individuals think that checking the length of the ropes and cords in just the children’s room is enough; as they spend most of their time in there. But children can move around the whole house whenever they want; so to check the stretch of the cord. It should not be in reach of the child.
Don’t give access to children
There should be no furniture or other items near the windows; on which the child could climb and grasp the ropes of the blinds. No children furniture like cot, highchair, bed and playpen should be placed adjacent to the windows. If it is really necessary to keep the child near a window then arrange the furniture a little away from the blinds and shutters.
Order Cordless or motor operated Blinds
Not all products have cords and ropes in them. There are a few that for different reasons all together have cordless and motor operated blinds and shutters. They can either have cranks fitted in them or all flaps are connected by a single rod. Also there are remote controlled blinds with the motor mechanism.
Install Outdoor Blinds instead of Indoor ones
Instead of installing blinds indoors you can prefer to have retractable blinds outdoor. This is the safest thing to do as the children will have no access to the blinds. They are safely put up on the outer side of the windows. They will serve the purpose of covering the window also protection of the children as well.
The Quality of Material should be the best
For ensuring the safety of your child; you have to check the quality of the materials of the Windows Blinds and Shutters. The manufacturing of these blinds and shutters should be of the best quality then they will not wear out easily.
Read More: All Star Blinds Shaping a Legacy of Quality
