Cordaway - Safety Device for Window and Blind Cords

It's here. The Cordaway blind cord safety device. A simple yet effective way of placing blind cords well out of reach of small children and ensuring only an adult can release the cords for use. Slim, elegant and efficient. Cordaway, the safety device that works.

Children are precious, make your home safe – today.

Fit Cordaway on all windows with corded blinds or curtains.

ACCC Press Release on Blind Cord Safety, 23 June 2016

Tragically, between one and two children die in Australian homes every year as a result of non-compliant corded blinds and curtains. Similar deaths occur regularly across the world and the ACCC is joining international regulators to warn of the hidden dangers associated with corded blinds and curtains.

“Loose cords can be extremely dangerous to young children, as they can quickly tangle or loop around a child’s neck. We are urging parents and carers to check each room in their house for blinds or curtains with cords and tie them up with cleats,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.

“It is important to make sure cots, beds, highchairs and playpens are placed away from blind or curtain cords so they remain inaccessible to infants at all times.”

“Young children will also climb on furniture, such as chairs and couches that may be near windows with blinds or curtain cords. All cords throughout the house should be secured and out of reach of children,” Ms Court said.

The mandatory standard for internal window coverings was declared in July 2010 and a separate regulation relating to installation services of window coverings came into effect in January 2015.

In April, the ACCC conducted a survey of corded blinds and curtains in 131 display homes and found evidence of an alarmingly poor level of compliance with the regulations for both supply and installation of window coverings.

Had the homes been sold with the window coverings as installed, only 10 per cent would have complied with all the requirements of the mandatory standard, including the incorporation of cord guides, cleats to keep the cords out of harm’s way, installer details, and mandatory warning labels.

“The ACCC is putting suppliers and installers on notice that they face prosecution and fines of up to $1.1 million if they fail to comply with the regulations,” Ms Court said.

The ACCC will continue to educate housing companies, manufacturers, retailers, and installers of corded internal window coverings about the requirements of the mandatory standard. The ACCC will be undertaking further surveillance and enforcement action will be taken where serious breaches of the regulation are found.

Source: ACCC, 23 June 2016