Playtimes HK Magazine June 2017 Issue | Page 44

fitted with a safety device at the point of manufacture. The regulations also ban the use of cords and chains that could create a hazardous loop in premises where children up to 42 months are likely to be present. Sadly no such regulations are in place in Hong Kong, but that is no reason to overlook the danger these cords pose and invest in safer options. Solve the problem Install blinds that do not have a cord, especially in a child’s bedroom. Do not place a child’s cot, bed, playpen or highchair near blinds or curtains. The pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and out of a child’s reach (cutting is not recommended, however). Tie up the cords or use cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties to secure them. pulling themselves up against them or even just from pulling out a drawer. Sharp corners Solve the problem All cabinets, wardrobes, toy storage units etc. should be fixed to the wall by yourself or by a handyman, or by the store you purchased the item from, which is the case with Ikea. “At Ikea, we are committed to creating a safer life at home and the best way to deal with hazards is to make sure you take appropriate precautions. We believe that chests of drawers are safe to use when anchored to the wall. Ikea has for many years provided tip-over restraint kits with all chests of drawers over a certain height, and wall attachment is an integral part of the assembly instructions. To reinforce this Ikea also launched a global awareness campaign called Secure It!”. The hazard Once your baby is rolling, crawling or tottering around your home, any innocent piece of furniture with sharp corners can cause damage. In order to avoid bumps, bruises or tears, it’s worth thinking about alternatives to literally bubble-wrapping the contents of your home. Blind cords/curtain ties 88 % of unintentional child poisoning cases occur in children less than four-years-old 42 The hazard Between 1999 and 2014 there were 27 fatalities involving babies and young children becoming entangled with window blind cords and chains in the UK. This resulted in the introduction of regulations across the European Union requiring all existing blinds to be made safe using a retrofit safety device, and all cords and chains to be www.playtimes.com.hk Ikea Corner Bumper