Blinds - very short cords?

[red_slr]

Had some blinds fitted today. They have come with cords that are basically impossible to use. Supplier says that's the current regulations. Basically cord is c.45cm long and then clipped to the wall.

Windows are quite long so this results in you having to reach right up to operate with finger and thumb.

I said this cant be right.

Someone under 5 1/2 feet would not be able to work them!

Anyone know whats going on here!?

[V8A*ndy]

Your supplier is correct.

There has been a number of deaths with children/toddlers getting caught up in them.

[red_slr]

Hmm. But how are we meant to use them?!
The videos on their website show the cords coming down to cill level - about waist level in the video. Our cills are about knee level and the cord is about shoulder level at the very bottom and to operate you have to reach up to about 1.6m..

[softtop]

The cables should be taut and on a bracket which it appears you have. I am not sure there are minimum heights prescribed as the key feature is that there will be clips that will break should pressure be put on the loop. Also roman blinds (if you have these) will also have cords that are able to slip out if pressure is exerted.

Info regarding heights of cord

Height Cord or Chain Length
Operating loop with Breakaway System EN 13120
Known distance from floor to bottom of pull cords shall be at least 0.6m
“In either instance the hazardous loop shall be eliminated when a mass of 6 kg is
applied to the pull cord(s) gradually or Not Known within 5 seconds of application”

Edited by softtop on Thursday 26th May 20:48

[Simpo Two]

Make them longer?

The regs do of course discriminate against the vertically challenged. Love it when H&S and PC collide.

[alex_rsa]

If you don't have young children then replace the cords....

All our blinds came with cords with plastic beads with a break-away joint. I have replaced then all with cords with metal cords with no join. They work so much better, i think the weight of the new cord makes them roll much easier.