Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Check<br />
your<br />
blinds...<br />
When I first had children, I was<br />
really concerned that the windows<br />
in their bedroom could be opened<br />
wide. This was fixed very simply<br />
by fitting window stops that<br />
prevented them opening wide<br />
enough to fall out if they climbed<br />
onto the window ledge.<br />
The other issue was looped cords<br />
on blinds. Having personally known<br />
someone who lost a child through<br />
strangulation due to a cord I knew<br />
it was very important to change<br />
them to make sure they were safe.<br />
Deaths have occurred mainly in<br />
18 to 36 month old children and<br />
mainly in the bedroom.<br />
The law requires that all new blinds<br />
including roller, pleated, roman,<br />
vertical and venetian blinds are<br />
‘safe by design’.<br />
This means that safety device must<br />
be installed at the point of the<br />
manufacture. These either allow<br />
you to store the cord(s) out of<br />
reach or they break under pressure<br />
or tension the cord.<br />
Professional installers must fit<br />
these devices. If you have fitted<br />
blinds yourself you should follow<br />
the instructions supplied with the<br />
product and make sure you fit any<br />
safety device.<br />
So; don’t use cords if possible, keep<br />
cords short, keep up high, don’t put<br />
beds or cots near windows, don’t<br />
put drawstring bags over the end of<br />
the cot and as usual STAY SAFE.<br />
Our local Stylish Blinds will be able<br />
to advise if you have any concerns.<br />
Please call them on 01386 442565.<br />
By Karen<br />
Meadows<br />
Safety In Action<br />
Twitter<br />
@<br />
Safety_InAction<br />
Expert family legal advice in Evesham<br />
We understand the issues that may<br />
arise when your relationship is in<br />
diffi culty and how this can affect<br />
you and your family.<br />
We can help you with all aspects<br />
of divorce and separation<br />
• Financial aspects of a relationship breakdown<br />
• Cohabitation issues<br />
• Pre and Post Nuptial agreements<br />
and wealth protection<br />
• Children disputes<br />
• Civil partnership<br />
• Domestic abuse issues<br />
• Mediation<br />
FAM0120170131<br />
We are recognised in the Legal<br />
500 for our expertise and our<br />
exceptional client care and<br />
are delighted that we are now<br />
available in Evesham.<br />
Contact me, Brenda Spain,<br />
on 01386 389 931<br />
or email me at<br />
bspain@hcrlaw.com<br />
Local to Evesham, Brenda is an expert family<br />
lawyer and mediator with over 25 years’<br />
experience dealing with all aspects of family law.<br />
12 V ale <strong>Family</strong> <strong>Mag</strong>azine 2017
Change language