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Blind Cord Safety: UK Regulations Every Parent Should Know (2026)
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Blind Cord Safety: UK Regulations Every Parent Should Know (2026)
Blind cord safety is a legal requirement in the UK, not just good practice, and every corded blind in your home should meet it.
Blind cords and chains can pose a serious risk to young children, and UK law has required all new blinds to be child-safe since February 2014.
The short answer: since 2014, every blind sold in the UK must either have no cords or chains at all, or come fitted with an approved safety device such as a cleat, tensioner or breakaway connector, in line with British Standard BS EN 13120 (see the official gov.uk guidance on blind cord safety).
If you have older roller, Roman or vertical blinds from before 2014, they may not meet current standards. Below we explain what the law actually requires, which safety devices do what, and how to check whether your existing blinds need attention.
Blind Cord SafetyWhat Each Device Actually Does
| Safety Device | What It Does | Best Used On | Where It’s Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cord Cleat | Wraps and secures excess cord out of reach | Roller, Roman and vertical blinds with looped cords | Fixed to the wall or frame, at least 1.5m above floor level |
| Cord Tensioner | Keeps a looped cord permanently taut against the wall | Vertical and some roller blinds | Fixed at the base of the cord run |
| Breakaway Connector | Splits apart under pressure so a loop cannot hold | Roman and Venetian blinds with continuous cord loops | Built into the cord loop itself |
| Cordless / Spring-Operated Mechanism | Removes the operating cord entirely | Any blind style, especially in children’s bedrooms | No fitting required – built into the blind |
Choosing Cordless as Standard
The simplest way to remove the risk entirely is to choose a cordless blind from the outset. Spring-loaded and wand-operated mechanisms give you the same light control as a corded blind, without any cord or chain in reach of a child.
We fit cordless mechanisms as standard on most of the styles we supply, at no extra cost, and always recommend them for bedrooms, nurseries and playrooms.
Chainless Vertical Blinds
For vertical blinds, a chainless operating system removes the looped chain that traditionally runs along the base of the slats, replacing it with a wand or cordless control.
It keeps the smooth, easy-tilt operation vertical blinds are known for, while removing the main child-safety concern altogether.
See our living room vertical blinds project for an example.
UK RegulationWhat BS EN 13120 Requires
Since February 2014, all blinds sold in the UK have had to comply with British Standard BS EN 13120, which covers internal window blinds. In practice this means a new blind must either be supplied without a cord or chain, or be fitted with a safety device – a cleat, tensioner or breakaway connector – at the point of sale.
These requirements remain in place post-Brexit and are enforced by Trading Standards. If you buy blinds from a reputable UK supplier today, they should already comply.
Government guidance (gov.uk) also recommends keeping cots, beds, highchairs and play pens away from any window with a corded blind, and securing spare cord in a figure-of-eight on a cleat after use.
Existing BlindsA Quick Safety Checklist
- Check every blind cord or chain in the home – can a child reach it from the floor, a bed, a windowsill or a piece of furniture?
- If a cord forms a loop, fit a cleat or tensioner to hold it permanently taut and out of reach.
- Move cots, beds, highchairs and play pens away from any window with a corded blind.
- In a child’s bedroom or playroom, consider replacing older corded blinds with a cordless design, such as our electric blinds.
- After use, secure spare cord in a figure-of-eight on the cleat.
See our motorised roller blinds project for an example of a cord-free finish.
FAQs – Blind Cord Safety
Are all new blinds sold in the UK required to be child-safe?
My blinds are older than 2014, are they still legal?
What is a cord tensioner and do I need one?
Do cordless blinds cost more?
Do you fit safety devices as standard?
Blinds Type We Offer
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After managing to ruin my own blinds 😂, I contacted this brother and honestly couldn’t be happier with the service. He came out to measure up the same day and had my new blinds fitted the very next day. Excellent service from start to finish — quick, efficient, professional and reasonably priced. Would 100% recommend him to anyone looking for blinds. I’ll definitely be giving him a call again for any future blinds I need. Great job! 👌
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely brilliant service! The blinds were fitted perfectly, the quality is excellent and the prices are so reasonable. Couldn’t be happier — highly recommend! Thank you brother so much
Really pleased with the blinds and the overall service. He was fitted beautifully and look exactly how I wanted. Very professional, friendly and efficient throughout. The quality and finish are excellent. I’m really happy with the result and would definitely recommend.
Really happy with the service from start to finish. The blinds look fantastic, the quality is excellent, and everything was fitted perfectly. Great communication, friendly service and very professional throughout. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for good quality blinds and a reliable service. 👍
Really pleased with our new blinds. The whole process was easy from start to finish, with great communication and friendly, professional service. The blinds look fantastic, fit perfectly and are excellent quality. Everything was completed neatly and efficiently. Would definitely recommend this company to anyone looking for new blinds. Great service and a lovely finished result!
Excuse the pun, but, Mo did a 'blinding' job, the blinds are all lovely, perfect fit, colour etc. The price was fair and Mo couldn't do enough to make sure I was 100% satisfied before he left! Nice one, Mo!
Fast, friendly and professional service from start to finish ,we had a great experience with Hermis Blinds and would definitely recommend them !
Very professional, quick and efficient service, maintains time line, advice amd suggestions offered are very appropriate. Would definitely call no other service dor further blind fitting at home. Very impressive seevice.
Excellent professional service, with helpful advice on choosing blinds and fitting, all at a great price.
Mo has done an excellent job installing various blinds in my home, he was patient and gave me all the time needed as I was undecided as to what I actually wanted. The fitting took very little time and is done to a super standard - I would happily use his expertise again.
10/10 experience - they delivered exactly what I was looking for, 4x perfect fit automated blinds and they look amazing. I’d searched for ages for the right solution and these guys delivered. Highly recommend Hermes
I had day and night blinds fitted in my living room and three bedrooms, along with roller blinds for the bathroom, all from Hermis Blinds. From the initial enquiry through to the fitting, the whole experience was excellent. Mohammed was really helpful and professional when arranging the appointment and coming out to measure. He explained everything clearly, was punctual and made the whole process easy and stress-free. When it came to fitting the blinds, Mohammed did a fantastic job. He took his time to make sure everything was fitted properly and looked great. He was also very respectful of my home and made sure to clean up after himself once the work was completed. He took all the rubbish and packaging away with him, which I really appreciated. The blinds look fantastic throughout the house and I’m really pleased with the quality and finish. The whole service, from booking and measuring to fitting, was professional and reliable. A big thank you to Mohammed and Hermis Blinds for the excellent service. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for good-quality blinds and a professional fitting service.
Amazing service clear with price materials and super fast and professional fitting. Listens to what the customer wants and the price quality is unbeatable after getting three other quotes.
Fantastic products and great customer service! I’m a repeat customer and will definitely order again in the future
Excellent service delivery. Mohammed has integrity that is very hard to find among professionals, and his works are very neat. I can recommend him for a higher office.
Quality blinds and friendly service. I would highly recommend to others.
Absolutely fantastic service and a fantastic price. Great quality too. Will highly recommend 👌 and use again.
Overall, I’m very satisfied and would recommend these Hermis blinds to anyone looking for affordable blinds options.good communication and great customer service.
Mo is really professional and was quick installing the blinds. Brilliant service.
Brilliant service start to finish and fitted within couple of days and no hassle very professional
I was recommended this company and I had blinds fitted and I was very impressed with the design and quality. I would highly recommend this company to anyone needing blinds supplied and fitted
Very good quality at very reasonable price and the service was as promised 10/10 thank u
My made blinds came today an fitted with love absolutely boss an great bargain as I got quoted from another firm hundred more an theses blinds are better blackout an just wipe with cloth if get dirt on it that's kind of fabric would strongly recommend if lookin on blinds for home or work give this company a go you won't be disappointed price an designs of blinds an great customer service an helpful il be recommending to my family an friends thank you ❤️
I have dealt with Mo for many years and never had any issues with his knowledge or service, nothing is ever too much bother he goes out of his way to accommodate his clients requests. The product he sells is excellent quality at affordable prices I highly recommend Mo and Hermis Blinds.
Brilliant service from start to finish I can’t recommend highly enough. We started with one blind and the service was so good we ended up replacing all blinds. Really knowledgeable and friendly team with value for money products
I cannot recommend Mo highly enough. His service and professionalism is unrivalled and he goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy with the blinds. We ordered 4 blackout blinds and 2 Velux blinds, the quality is great as was the price. I wouldn’t even bother getting anybody else out, Mo is the only person you should choose for your blinds!
Hermis Blinds did a fantastic job installing our roman blinds – beautiful finish, great service, and highly recommend!
The blinds were installed with no mess . I am very happy with the service.
Friendly and professional, was very swift in giving a quote and brought examples of blind materials. Post installation we noticed a small mark/hole in the blind, which they happily replaced the next day. Would recommend, honest business and fairly priced.
Great fitment, lovely man and the cheapest quote out of all 8 companies. 10/10 recommend!
Great service. fantastic blinds, such a good quality. I truly recommend this. Most trusted! I will probably get the blinds again from you guys soon! 🙏🙏
