Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 April 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 May 2016 (named day). It was answered by Brandon Lewis (Conservative) on Wednesday, 4 May 2016 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Window Blinds: Safety

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require private landlords to fit safety devices on blinds to ensure children's safety.

Answer

Government has already taken steps to protect children, having worked with various sector bodies and lobby groups to revise the European standard EN 13120 (performance and safety requirements for internal blinds). This means all blinds placed on the market, since February 2014, have to display warning labels on the product, as well as on the packaging, and include safety devices to ensure blind cords are kept out of the reach of young children. It also imposes a maximum cord and chain length where there is a likely hood of young children (0-42 months) being present, which includes residential properties and public places like hotels, hospitals, schools, shops, places of worship and nurseries.

Local authorities also have powers, under the Housing Act 2004, to inspect properties and where hazards are identified require the landlord to rectify them.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
35606
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Private rented housing Safety Window blinds
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk