Curtains & Blinds with any type of cord pose a serious hazard to young children. We know how quickly things can happen with young children, and for this reason, child safety is a top priority at Lewis's.  

What you need to know

Curtains & Blinds with any type of cord – including blinds, roman blinds, roller shades and curtains with a pull-cord – pose a serious hazard to young children. Consumer NZ has reported twelve deaths from blind-cord accidents in NZ between 2002 and 2018 and sadly we know this tragic trend has continued. Accidental strangulation can happen very quickly, and no one can watch a child 100% of the time. It's important to consider window coverings throughout your home, not just in children's bedrooms – anywhere children may be able to climb on furniture or reach windows.

Lewis’s has adopted a strong position on child safety meeting the Australian child safety regulations relating to curtain and blind cords. We take all practical options to provide the maximum level of child safety possible even in homes without young children. This is important for all Lewis’s customers, as we can never be sure that at some time in the future, a toddler or child may gain access to the blinds and curtains in our homes.

Ways to ensure child safety

CHILD SAFE CURTAINS

The looped cords on curtain drawcord systems are our number one concern. Children often play behind curtains and these cords can be very accessible and pose the greatest hazard. As a result, Lewis’s recommends:

1. Choose Kinetics Automation

Lewis's offers motorised track systems for opening and closing curtains that operate without any cords. These have many advantages along with being child safe.

2. Choose Wands

Wherever possible, avoid drawcords by choosing Wands. Wands enable you to open and close the curtains without handling the curtain. These are the perfect replacement to drawcords.

3. Install Cord Tensioners

Where a drawcord is required, they must be installed with a cord tensioner. All cord tensioners are supplied at no extra charge, although there is a small installation charge for installing drawcords.

CHILD SAFE ROMAN BLINDS

The cords and chains used to make and operate Roman blinds can be dangerous to young children. This is of great concern to Lewis’s and we have developed special design features to reduce these dangers.

1. Break Away Clips

The rear cords behind roman blinds, are instrumental to the operation of Roman blinds but they do present the greatest danger to young children. Now, with a significant development, Lewis’s attaches these to the blind with “Breakaway Clips” so should these cords come under any excessive tension, the cord will break away from the blind. These breakaway clips can easily be reconnected to re-establish the operation of the blind.

2. Choose Kinetics Automation

Lewis’s Roman blinds are now supplied with Kinetics motorisation, so that there are no further cords or chains required to operate these blinds.

3. Care & Good Practice Despite

Lewis’s child safety developments, always consider all blinds with chains or cords to be dangerous to young children. Move cots and children’s beds and furniture away from cords and ensure children do not play or access the area behind roman blinds.

When Lewis’s installers are installing new curtains and blinds in your home, we are happy to secure any untethered cords on existing curtains  with Child safety clips, at no charge.