Recurring concern
Failure to control blind-cord strangulation risks in residential properties
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Request correctionFirst reported 5 Jun 2014•Latest report 26 Jul 2022
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically intended to prevent, identify or remediate blind-cord strangulation risks in residential properties, including landlord obligations, property audits, inspection requirements, use of safety cords, warnings and action on existing hazardous blind cords.
Not included
- Excludes general window-covering, glass-door, smoke-alarm and other residential-property hazards that are not specifically related to blind-cord strangulation.
- Excludes generic landlord inspection, maintenance or regulatory deficiencies where blind-cord safety is not the identified concern.
- Excludes non-residential blind-cord risks unless the assertion explicitly concerns the same residential-property control process.
- Excludes unrelated child-safety education or supervision failures where no deficient blind-cord control is identified.
- Reports
- 3
- Individual concerns
- 3
- Date range
- 2014–2022
- Stated actions
- 8
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of residential property audits to address risks to children from internal blinds
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Add blind-cord safety to licensing conditions and check it during every Environmental Health property visit.
Stated by Oldham Borough Council -
Action
Brief residential-property enforcement officers on blind-cord safety and instruct them to check cords at every property visited.
Stated by Oldham Borough Council
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
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Position
New legal requirements for private rented housing would not achieve removal of dangerous looped blind cords because the risk affects homes of all tenures.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Position
OPSS is responsible for regulating the safety of consumer products such as window blinds.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government -
Position
The Council cannot advise or check privately rented properties outside its selective licensing scheme or properties it does not visit.
Stated by Oldham Borough Council -
Position
National legislative intervention to address blind-cord safety across privately rented properties is a matter for the Government.
Stated by Oldham Borough Council
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Concerns raised1
Failure of residential landlords to ensure the use of safety cords on blinds in rental properties
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
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Action
Produce guidance for landlords on their responsibilities and making existing blinds safer.
Stated by The British Blind and Shutter Association Limited -
Action
Update the child safety website to include landlords and signpost the landlord guidance.
Stated by The British Blind and Shutter Association Limited -
Action
Disseminate the landlord safety guidance through residential letting-sector contacts and member organisations.
Stated by The British Blind and Shutter Association Limited
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Action
Publicise the blind-cord safety campaign through newsletters to landlords and local authorities and private rented-sector landlord and tenant guides.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government -
Action
Identify additional ways to disseminate blind-cord safety information across all housing tenures.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Concerns raised1
Existing blind cords posing a risk of death to children
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Continue supporting partner-led blind-cord safety awareness campaigns through funding and collaboration.
Stated by Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Established partner campaigns and networks are considered an effective response to increasing awareness of blind-cord safety risks.
Stated by Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
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Position
Preventive delivery is led by the BBSA and RoSPA through partnerships and networks rather than undertaken solely by government.
Stated by Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Data last updated 7 September 2026