Soft furnishings
significantly extends the life of blinds and curtains as well as providing peace of mind. Safety requirements vary depending on the type of blind and the fitting height as well as the opening and closing mechanism. In all cases, general warning labels must be left on the blinds and clear instructions should be provided on how they are operated. It is also worth getting blinds checked annually, particularly if you have residents with dementia in your care, as they may tamper with or struggle to use the opening and closing mechanisms correctly.
When choosing new blinds, you might wish to consider one that does not rely on cords or chains as these won’t require any additional safety devices and so are inherently safe. Examples include gear operated blinds, which have a gearbox fitted at one end that is operated by a crank handle that is either permanently fixed or detachable to prevent unauthorised use. Motorisation also removes the need for operating cords and chains and allows for blinds to be automated by linking to sensors and timers.
Child safety standards determine cord and chain lengths and retailers and professional installers are bound by these. Safety devices fall into three categories - accumulation, tensioning or breakaway devices - and the choice is dependent on blind type and operation.
Existing blinds
Safety legislation changed in 2014, so if you have an existing window blind with an operating cord or chain that could form a loop, you must keep it out of the reach of babies, young children and vulnerable adults. In the first instance, carry out a check on all blinds in publicly accessible areas and identify those that need to be made safer. Given the risks involved, it is recommended that you ask a professional about making existing blinds safer. While the risks of looped cords or chains on blinds are evident, many care home operators are not fully aware of the safety options that are also available relating to curtains. There are a wide range of safety tracks and stitching options that avoid the risk of self harm. Many clients specify anti-ligature curtains, blinds and tracks as standard throughout their entire facility.
Conclusion
Tips for ensuring that soft furnishings in your care home are safe include firstly establishing the appropriate standard of fire retardant fabric for bedrooms, lounges, dining areas and so on. Ensure that the method of manufacture is
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Many clients specify anti-ligature curtains, blinds and tracks as standard
appropriate for your residents, For example, do you care for vulnerable residents or people with dementia, in which case safety curtains without any loose cords are recommended Specify safety features, mechanisms and tracks if necessary and explore options that might enhance the calm feel of the environment, such as the use of voiles. Consider the appropriate use of colour and contrast; this can make a significant difference to residents with dementia as well as those with failing eyesight.
Ensure that cords and chains on existing blinds are compliant following the change in legislation. If in doubt consult a professional. When installing new blinds, work with a professional who will be fully conversant with the safety requirements as these vary depending on the type of blind, the height and the operating mechanism. Remember that bedding and upholstery have different fire retardancy standards to curtains and blinds. Finally, enjoy choosing your new soft furnishings; there has never been a wider range of fire retardant fabrics to suit every budget and the results can be transformational. Ultimately, all care homes should make sure that fire retardant soft furnishings are an integral part of their safety provision.
References 1. Anthony Collins Newsroom. The CQC requests fire safety reviews. 6 July 2017. [
newsroom.anthonycollins.com/ebriefings/ the-cqc-requests-fire-safety-reviews].
2. SATRA Technology. Flammability Testing of Curtains and Drapes. [
www.satra.com/ spotlight/
article.php?id=406].
3. The British Blind and Shutter Association. [
www.makeitsafe.org.uk].
4. ROSPA. Blind Cord Safety Campaign. [
www.rospa.com/campaigns-fundraising/ current/blind-cord].
Further information
The British Blind and Shutter Association -
www.makeitsafe.org.uk
Christine Willis TCHE
Christine Willis is the managing director of Furnish Ltd and has a background in contract fabric business development and sales. Specialising in fire retardant curtains, blinds and soft furnishings in the care, healthcare, hospitality and education sectors, the company supports clients on both refurbishment and new build projects. Over the past 12 years, Furnish has been part of several award winning care home projects and is proud to support both large care home clients and small independent homes throughout the UK.
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • January 2018
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