Consumer Affairs Victoria is urging all families to keep their home safe for young children by checking they have curtain and blind cords secured.
Looped curtain and blind cords can quickly become deadly if a child places one over their head and becomes entangled.
Tragically, unsecured cords are responsible for the strangulation deaths of 1 to 2 Australian children each year.
To guard against such tragedies, parents are advised to install a curtain and blind cord safety kit to keep cords tensioned and out of reach.
They should also check every room for looped cords, especially if blinds or curtains were installed before 2015, as older products may not meet current mandatory safety standards.
Renters can install safety kits without needing approval from their rental provider.
New reforms will come into effect from December 1 this year requiring all residential rental properties to have secured cords on internal window coverings to prevent them forming loops.
Renters will have the right to request an urgent repair if cords are not secured and it will become an offence for a rental provider (landlord) to allow a new renter to move into a rental property that does not meet this mandatory minimum rental standard.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich said loose and looped curtain and blind cords posed an unacceptable risk to children.
“The new standards will ensure that all rental properties meet this essential safety standard with no exemptions,” Ms Rich said.
For more information, visit: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/home-living/home-furnishings/blinds-curtains
Free blind and curtain safety kits can be ordered at: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/consumers-and-businesses/products-and-services/product-safety/curtain-and-blind-cord-safety
