INSIDE CHILD SAFETY

The new European Standard for Safety of Children has been endorsed on 19 Februaryand is automatically applicable in the member states from 1 September, 2014
onwards, in compliance with EN 13120 - EN 16433 - EN 16434.

Child safe window decorations (Child safety)

INSIDE pays the utmost attention to safety and that is why from September onwards all window decoration products will comply with all European CEN standards (EN13120, EN16433, EN16434). The cords and the chains of window decoration products can be dangerous for young children and cause all sorts of problems.

Where necessary, we added accessories to these products to make sure these operating cords and chains are fixed to the wall out of children’s reach. The fitting height of the product plays an important role in this procedure and that is why specific regulations are applicable*. Moreover, we have equipped our products, where necessary, with extra safety components and therefore excluded other risk factors.
Child safety is obligatory in buildings accessible to children such as hotels, hospitals, churches, shops, schools and public buildings; and of course in every private home.

* REGLEMENTATION LONGUEUR CHAIN/CORD

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STANDARD

This standard aims to prevent the risk of children being suffocated by chains, operating and inner cords of folding blinds / roller blinds. It is possible for these cords to create loops in which children can become entangled when playing near a window. The obligations of the Standard have no retroactive effect. The standard is therefore not applicable to products manufactured before its date of publication.

All folding blinds / roller blinds that will be fitted in premises where “young children are likely to have access or be present” must comply with this standard: If the premises are unknown, the standard must always be applied. If the premises are known, the following needs to be taken into account:

• Private houses
> standard is always applicable, whether there are children or not.
• Public buildings
> standard is applicable except for the premises in which the public is not
allowed.
• Commercial buildings
> standard is not applicable to those premises in which children aren’t allowed.

How to make chain loops, pull cords and inner cords safe

The main idea is that the chain or cord loop must be at least 150cm. (5 feet) above floor level, which implies that the fitting height and not the system height will be of importance. Moreover, no cord or chain should hang loose. There must be a safety system that must always be fitted against the wall.

Inside will always ask for the fitting height when taking your order in order to calculate chain or cord loop’s length. (loop 150cm. from the floor). If no fitting height is given, we will work with a system height of < 250 cm (8’4”) and a loop length of 100 cm. (3’4”). In case the system height is higher than 250cm., the loop height will be 150cm. shorter than the system height (rounded to standard loop length).

WARNING LABELS AND INFORMATION

General instructions:
• Main rails must be fitted no less than 150cm. from the floor.
• Cord tensioners or chain connectors must be fitted as close as possible to the main rail and no less than 150cm. from the floor.
• Manufacturers are responsible for providing information to the point of sale.
• It is the retailers’ responsibility to ensure that the required security systems are
available for the customer at their point of sale and in case these systems are
fitted, they must be fitted in compliance with the applicable guidelines.
• Name of manufacturer, importer or fitter must be mentioned on the blinds.
• Inside will not be liable for any damages or costs caused by incorrect fitting
or assembly by a third party.

Electrical systems
We would like to point out that electrical systems solve the problem partially
because you no longer have to take into account the chain’s restrictions.

All systems supplied by INSIDE shall be provided with these legal warning
messages.
• Young children can be strangles by loops in pull cords, chains, tapes and inner cords that operate the product.
• To avoid strangulation and entanglement, keep cords out of the reach of young children. Cords may become wrapped around a child’s neck.
• Move cots ans furniture away from window covering cords.
• Do not tie cords together. Make sure cords do not twist and create a loop.