As a family-owned business, we spend a lot of time in Brisbane homes with young
children. We see first-hand how quickly little ones can climb, grab, and explore –
including around windows. While blinds and curtains are essential for privacy, heat
and glare control, corded window coverings can also pose a serious safety risk for
babies and young children if they’re not designed and installed correctly.
At Brisbane Screens & Blinds, we’ve been manufacturing and installing custom-
made blinds, shutters, awnings and security screens across South East Queensland
for over 30 years. Safety is one of the key considerations we bring into every
measure and quote, especially for family homes.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of child-safe window coverings
and how we can help you create a safer, more comfortable home for your family.
Why Blind and Curtain Cord Safety Matters
Loose or looped blind and curtain cords can be a strangulation risk for young
children, particularly toddlers who are just tall enough to reach window sills or climb
on furniture. Sadly, there are cases every year in Australia where children are
seriously injured or killed due to entanglement in cords.
Even if you keep blinds raised, children can:
Climb onto beds, chairs or toy boxes near windows
Reach for cords when playing or pulling themselves up
Wrap cords around their neck without realising the danger
That’s why Australia has specific mandatory safety standards for corded internal
window coverings, and why we take cord safety so seriously in our product
recommendations and installations.
Cord Safety Rules in Australia
There are two national mandatory standards that apply to blinds, curtains and other
corded internal window coverings in Australia. Together, they cover both the supply
of products and the way they’re installed.
In simple terms, these standards require that:
Corded blinds and curtains must come with clear warning labels and safety
instructions.
Cords and chains must be installed so that a loose cord cannot form a loop
220mm or longer at less than 1.6m above the floor.
Safety devices such as cleats, cord guides or tensioners must be used where
needed and installed correctly.
Installers must attach a label with their name and contact details and must not
remove any safety warning tags.
For you as a homeowner, the key takeaway is this: when you buy and install new
blinds and curtains from a reputable supplier, they should already be designed and
fitted to meet these safety requirements.
Choosing Safer Window Coverings for Kids’ Rooms and Living Spaces
When we visit your home for a measure and quote, we always ask how each room is
used. If there are young children (or grandchildren) around, we’ll talk you through
options that either eliminate cords altogether or keep them safely out of reach.
Here are some of the safer choices we regularly recommend for Brisbane families:
- Cordless and Motorised Systems
Cordless and motorised blinds are some of the safest solutions for homes with
young children because they remove the hanging cord altogether.
Great cordless options include:
Motorised roller blinds – operated by a remote or smart home system rather
than a chain.
Motorised roman blinds or media blinds – ideal for bedrooms or media rooms
where blockout is important.
Spring-assisted or cordless roller systems – where the blind is raised and
lowered by hand without a hanging chain, depending on the product.
These systems give you clean lines, easy operation and peace of mind that there are
no loops within reach of small hands. - Shutters and Wand-Operated Products
Internal shutters and some wand-operated vertical blinds are naturally child-friendly
because they don’t rely on dangling cords.
Shutters use tilt bars or hidden mechanisms to adjust louvres. There are no
loose cords, and they’re highly durable in busy family areas.
Wand-controlled vertical blinds allow you to stack and tilt blades with a rigid
wand rather than a cord or chain, reducing entanglement risks.
These options are particularly popular in playrooms, open-plan living areas and
sliding door openings. - Safer Corded Options with Proper Tensioning
Corded blinds are still common in many homes, and when they’re installed correctly
with safety devices, they can comply with the mandatory standards.
If you choose traditional corded products such as roller blinds, roman blinds,
venetian blinds or panel glides, we ensure that:
Cords and chains are tensioned and secured using cord guides or cleats
Safety devices are fixed at the correct height and firmly attached
There are no accessible loops hanging within a child’s reach when installed
according to the instructions
We’ll also discuss where beds, cots and furniture are located in relation to windows
so you can plan the room layout with safety in mind.
Simple Ways to Make Your Existing Blinds Safer
Many Brisbane homes already have blinds or curtains installed. If you’re not ready to
replace everything immediately, there are still practical steps you can take to improve
safety:
Move furniture away from windows
Keep cots, beds, toy boxes and chairs away from corded blinds so children
can’t climb up to reach them.
Install cord tensioners or cleats
Use safety devices to secure cords at a minimum of 1.6m above floor level
and prevent dangerous loops from forming.
Shorten or tie up excess cord
Keep cords as short as practical and always secured out of reach when not in
use.
Check older blinds and curtains
If your window coverings were installed before the current standards came
into effect, it’s worth having them checked and upgraded with safety devices.
Educate older children
Explain that cords are not toys and should never be wrapped around their
neck or used for play.
If you’re replacing window coverings room-by-room, consider starting with nurseries
and kids’ bedrooms first.
How We Design and Install with Safety in Mind
As a local, family-owned business based in Loganholme, we’re very conscious that
our blinds, awnings, shutters and security screens are going into real homes with
real families – often in the same neighbourhoods where we live and work.
When you work with Brisbane Screens & Blinds, we:
Start with a detailed on-site measure and quote
We assess window sizes, heights, access, how the room is used and who
uses it.
Talk through safety-conscious product options
For homes with young children, we’ll suggest cordless, motorised or shutter
solutions where practical, and explain how corded products are secured if you
choose them.
Manufacture custom-made products for your windows and doors
Our products are made to measure for a neat fit and reliable operation across
our range – from interior blinds and shutters to external awnings and Crimsafe
security screens.
Install with care and attention to detail
Our experienced installation team fits your blinds and screens in line with
product instructions and safety requirements, and can show you how to use
any safety devices.
Support you after installation
If you have questions about adjusting your blinds, adding safety devices or
updating older window coverings over time, we’re only ever a phone call
away.
Ready to Make Your Window Coverings More Child-Friendly?
Creating a safer home for young children doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort.
With the right combination of products and a focus on safety from the start, you can
enjoy beautiful blinds, shutters and screens that also give you peace of mind.
If you’re planning a renovation, building a new home, or simply want to upgrade old
blinds in your Brisbane property, we’d be happy to help.
Get in touch with Brisbane Screens & Blinds to arrange a free measure and quote, or
visit our showroom at Unit 2/5 Babdoyle St, Loganholme, to talk through child-safe
window covering options with our friendly team.
Together, we can make your windows work harder for your family – keeping out the
glare and heat, while keeping your little ones safer.