How to child-proof your blinds: motorised, cordless and Perfect Fit options

When you’re creating a family home, safety and comfort go hand in hand. It’s easy to overlook window blinds when baby-proofing a nursery or toddler’s room, but the cords and chains on traditional blinds can be a silent hazard.

According to UK safety charities, at least two young children die each year after becoming entangled in blind cords, and many more suffer near-strangulation injuries. These incidents happen quickly and quietly, often when parents believe their child is safely asleep.

That’s why since February 2014, all new blinds sold or professionally installed in the UK must comply with BS EN 13120, the safety standard that requires blinds to be cordless or fitted with built-in safety devices such as tensioners, breakaway connectors, or cleats to keep cords out of reach.

At Bilanco Blinds, we believe safety should never mean sacrificing style. With today’s modern designs, you can have beautiful blinds that are entirely child-safe, and still complement your home’s décor perfectly.

Why blind cords are so dangerous

Blind cords might look harmless, but for toddlers and young children they present a serious risk. Because cords naturally form loops, a child can easily get a neck or limb caught while climbing, playing, or reaching for light. In tragic cases documented by UK safety bodies, entanglement can occur in seconds, with no sound or struggle.

The risk isn’t limited to nurseries. Pets have also been injured after becoming tangled in hanging cords. Even with newer blinds, older properties may still have unsafe fittings that pre-date the 2014 regulation.

What the UK safety standards require

The 2014 changes made it unlawful to sell or install internal blinds with cords or chains that lack child-safety features. Every compliant product should include clear instructions and tested components. In practice, that means:

• Breakaway devices that release the cord if pressure is applied.
• Cord tensioners or cleats that secure loops firmly to the wall or frame.
• Maximum cord lengths so no free loop can hang within a child’s reach.
• Mandatory warnings and installation guidance for safe use.
• Factory-tested safety components that meet BS EN 13120.

Check our online store for window blind safety devices.

If your home has blinds supplied before 2014, it’s worth checking for unsecured cords, long loops, or missing safety devices and upgrading where needed.

Your safest options: motorised, cordless and Perfect Fit blinds

Motorised blinds: smart, simple, completely cordless

Motorised blinds are among the safest and most convenient options for family homes. They operate at the push of a button or through a phone app, ie. no cords, no chains, and no risk. You can control light levels remotely, set timers for naps, and manage hard-to-reach windows. While motorised blinds cost more upfront, they offer long-term peace of mind and modern comfort.

Cordless blinds: a clean, manual solution

Cordless blinds lift and lower by holding the bottom rail: no dangling cords to tempt little hands. They’re perfect for nurseries, playrooms and bedrooms, and available in roller blinds, venetian blinds and cellular styles. Quality cordless mechanisms glide smoothly and stay where you set them, delivering precise light control without tangles.

Perfect Fit blinds: tidy, tool-free, tamper-resistant

Perfect Fit blinds click neatly into the window frame, leaving no exposed cords or gaps. Because they move with the window and sit flush to the glass, little fingers (or paws) can’t pull at them. They’re ideal for tilt-and-turn windows and patio doors and come in blackout and thermal fabrics for sleep and comfort.

INTU blinds: sleek, safe, and designed for modern homes

INTU blinds fit directly into your window bead without the need for screws or drills, creating a clean, secure finish that’s perfect for family homes. Like Perfect Fit blinds, they’re completely cordless — the blind sits snugly against the glass and moves effortlessly with your window or door. This makes them a great choice for child safety, as there are no loose parts to grab or tangle with, while still offering excellent control of light and privacy.

Real-world safety lessons from parents

Parents who’ve faced near-misses often become the strongest advocates for safer blinds. Common themes from parent forums include switching to cordless or motorised designs, moving cots and beds away from windows, and adding tamper-resistant blackout layers (such as adhesive blackout window film) for naps. Many families also report success with Perfect Fit blackout blinds, which are harder for toddlers to lift or play with.

Extra safety tips for families and pet owners

• Keep cots, beds and climbable furniture away from windows.
• Check older blinds and retrofit tensioners, breakaway connectors or cleats if they remain in use.
• Replace looped cords wherever possible; consider cordless or motorised alternatives.
• Use blackout window film or secondary coverings for darkness without tempting cords.
• Teach children not to play with blinds; keep pets away from dangling strands.
• Inspect blinds regularly to ensure fittings and safety devices remain secure.

For renters or older homes: practical steps

If you rent, you might not be able to replace blinds entirely, but you can still make them safer:

• Use adhesive cord cleats or tensioners that don’t require screws.
• Shorten long cords and tie them up out of reach.
• Ask your landlord to replace blinds that don’t comply with the 2014 standards.
• In children’s rooms, consider curtains or window films as a temporary alternative.

Why it matters more than ever

Despite the law change, accidents still happen, often because older blinds are still in use. Safety experts urge parents and landlords to replace non-compliant blinds as soon as possible. The simplest change, such as fitting a cleat or swapping to a cordless blind, can prevent a life-changing tragedy.

How Bilanco Blinds can help

We design, measure, make, and fit blinds that are stylish, practical, and 100% compliant with modern child-safety standards. From cordless Venetian Blinds to motorised roller blinds and Perfect Fit systems, every option we install across Falkirk, Grangemouth, and Central Scotland is chosen with your family’s safety in mind.

You’ll get friendly advice, tidy fitting, and a no-pressure quote, because peace of mind should always come as standard.

As proud members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), we follow their strict child safety guidelines to ensure every blind we supply and install meets the highest safety standards for your home.