Safety
Child-safe window coverings
A short, practical guide to the safer choices — and why cordless is now the default rather than the upgrade.
·5 min read
Why cords are the issue
A looped cord or chain within a child's reach is a strangulation hazard. It is not a theoretical risk, and it is the reason Australia has mandatory safety requirements covering corded internal window coverings.
The requirements cover how cords must be secured and how installations must be labelled. Any professionally installed blind should comply as a matter of course, but it is worth knowing what to look for, particularly with older blinds already in the house.
The safer options
- Motorised blinds, which remove cords and chains entirely
- Veri Shades, which have no cords, chains or hanging weights between the vanes
- Spring-assisted and cordless roller blinds operated by a bar or handle
- Plantation shutters, which are operated by hand on the blade or a tilt rod
- Track-guided outdoor blinds such as Ziptrak, which are pushed and pulled rather than corded
- Childsafe systems built into modern roller ranges, designed for exactly this concern
If you have existing corded blinds
Cords and chains must be secured so a loop cannot form within reach. Cleats and tensioning devices fitted to the wall are the standard approach, and they need to be fixed properly rather than adhered.
The other practical step costs nothing: move cots, beds, sofas and anything climbable away from windows with cords. A cord that is out of reach from the floor is not out of reach from the top of a chest of drawers.
Shutters are worth a mention
Plantation shutters are inherently cordless. They are also fixed to the frame, which means there is nothing to pull down and nothing hanging loose. In homes with very young children that combination is a real advantage alongside their light control and appearance.
Good to know
Common questions
Are all new blinds cordless in Australia?
No, corded blinds are still sold, but they are subject to mandatory safety requirements covering how cords are secured and labelled. Cordless and motorised options are widely available and are the usual recommendation for homes with young children.
What is the safest window covering for a nursery?
A cordless or motorised blockout blind, or plantation shutters. Both remove the cord hazard entirely, and blockout matters in a nursery for daytime sleeps. Keep the cot away from the window regardless of which you choose.
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