Can I cut the cords on my blinds to make them safe?

If you already have blinds with looped cords, tie the ends out of the reach of children, using a cleat or a drawcord shortener. Make sure cots are never placed near window blinds or other items which have cords and loops.

RoSPA does not recommend that cords are cut, even as a short-term solution. It is advisable that any action taken on the blind cord is a permanent one which will take the cord out of reach of children. It is not an expensive task and cleats - small plastic devices that are fitted to the side of the window for the operating cord to be wrapped around - are available from blind retailers.

Cutting the cord in the wrong place can make the blind inoperable; and it may also lead to one cord becoming a lot longer which increases the risk of entanglement. Cut cords can also become tangled up resulting in the reformation of a loop.

If you have cords, and cannot replace them with a different window covering, RoSPA recommends the following:

• Pull-cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and kept out of reach
• Tie up the cords, or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are available
• Do not place a child’s cot, bed, playpen or highchair near a window.