Ensuring Blind Cord Safety: Creating a Safe Environment for Your Tenants

As a property manager or landlord, you bear the ongoing responsibility of ensuring tenant safety in the properties you manage. In this article, we’ll explore the legal requirements and safety standards relating to blind cords as well as what you should include in your safety procedures and processes to minimise risk. By understanding these aspects, you can ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Understanding Corded Blinds Legislation: Protecting Your Tenants

The Australian government enacted the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014, which outlines specific requirements for corded internal window coverings like blinds and curtains. These regulations are designed to protect the safety of young children from strangulation risks, including those residing in rental properties. It’s important to note that this legislation primarily pertains to the installation of new blinds and curtains.

Key Requirements for Your Investment Properties:

1. Installation: Since the new safety standard has been in place, corded internal window coverings must be installed in a way that prevents a loose cord from forming a loop longer than 220 mm at a height less than 1600 mm above the floor level.
2. Cleats and Cord Guides: To achieve compliance with the installation standards, property owners can choose to retroactively install either cleats or cord guides to older blinds and curtains. Cleats must be installed at least 1600 mm above floor level, while cord guides may be installed lower, provided they can withstand a tension force of 70 N for 10 seconds. Whilst these guidelines are a recommendation for older window coverings, they are crucial for new installations.
3. Safety Labels: It is important not to remove any warning labels or swing tags supplied with corded internal window coverings within your rental properties. These labels contain essential safety information and must remain intact to ensure your tenants’ well-being.

Enhancing Safety for Older Blinds and Curtains

While the legislation primarily applies to new installations, Smoke Alarm Solutions’ Corded Blinds Safety Service has been designed to ensure all curtains and blinds in your property (both new and older styles) meet federal safety standards. While it’s not an obligation, it’s a commendable practice for enhancing safety within your rental properties.  By opting for our Corded Blinds Safety Service, you are taking an extra step to protect your tenants from potential hazards associated with older corded window coverings.It is also good practice for property managers or landlords to conduct regular inspections of blinds, curtains and window coverings in order to identify any necessary repairs or maintenance which, if not carried out, could pose safety risks for tenants. Encouraging tenants to identify any issues and communicate this with their property manager, also aids in minimising potential risks.

The Importance of Safety Labels

Safety labels and swing tags on window coverings are not mere paperwork; they are crucial resources for maintaining a safe living environment. These labels often include installation information, manufacturer contact details, warnings about potential hazards and instructions on safe use. Removing them may result in tenant injury and even legal complications.

Simplify Compliance With Our Corded Blinds Safety Service

While Smoke Alarm Solutions is dedicated to providing comprehensive smoke alarm, gas and electrical compliance services, we also recognise the importance of addressing other critical safety measures within your rental properties. That is why we offer an optional Corded Blinds Safety Service to complement our smoke alarm subscriptions, providing an additional layer of safety and peace of mind for your tenants and your property.

Smoke Alarm Solutions offers corded blinds checks as an additional service offering where our team conducts a thorough inspection of all corded window coverings in your property. They will identify any potential hazards and, if necessary, install devices to secure the cords, ensuring the safety of your tenants and peace of mind for you as a property manager or landlord. Your tenants’ well being is a top priority and our Corded Blinds Safety Service reflects that commitment.

In conclusion, while corded window covering legislation primarily applies to the installation of new blinds and curtains, enhancing safety in rental properties is a vital practice. If you have any questions or concerns about corded window coverings or any other safety-related topics, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help you create safe and desirable living spaces for your tenants.