Blind cords

[NoRegrets123]

We got some new blinds last year. DS was only teeny tiny at the time and we neither of us knew how to use a drill, so we didn't bother securing the blind cords to the wall with the little hooks that came with them.

DS is now 16 months and whilst he's not yet tall enough to reach the blind cords I am worried he might climb on things and be able to reach them.

I say we should either learn to use the drill or I can get someone around to do it (we are not short of money and I'm the one who works if that makes a difference). DH says he's sure no children have ever died from blind cords (although a quick Google shows how wrong he is) and by the time DS is tall enough to reach them he'll be like 5 years old so we shouldn't bother and should just take the little safety devices off.

AIBU to ignore DH and think he's being an absolute idiot about this?

We can't screw it into the windows as they are UPVC. I do have some Gorilla Glue and Gorilla Strips but wasn't sure if they'd be strong enough.

DH says he's sure no children have ever died from blind cords

People should have to pass an IQ test before having children.

It’s one thing not to have heard a warning about something or not to see a danger in the home, but to have it pointed out to you and deny that it’s a danger really takes someone spectacularly stupid.

Mind you, it’s no better to ignore a danger (As you have for months) & even consider deferring to DH when you know he’s wrong. I have no idea why you are even asking & not just sorting it out!?

Do it today. Tomorrow might be too late.

We didn’t attach them to the wall we just snipped the cord so that there was no danger at all.

Your DH is an ignorant idiot. Families have campaigned for awareness. I think most blinds clearly state the danger in manufacturing with a label.

Toddlers won’t wait until they’re tall enough to reach things, they will climb anything they can and if they can’t manage that they quickly learn to move something else (a chair, a box, whatever) which they can stand on to reach the forbidden item. My DD is 2 (and fairly short for her age), and she can get onto the kitchen worktop by moving one of her little chairs in front of the worktop and climbing up. Please don’t wait, sort this out ASAP

We used command hooks for ours. No drilling necessary.

Buy some screw on hooks. You only need a drill to start the hole then hand screw.

Yes you can screw into UPVC, just screw them in,no need for a drill.

Tie them up for now so they’re as high as possible while you sort it out.

It's really not rocket science and something you can do in a few minutes. Why are you even debating over this or turning to a bunch of strangers for common sense?

Do you not have a window reveal where you can screw the cord hooks into the wall next to the window?

You can probably screw them in with a bit of pressure & a screwdriver, you won't necessarily need a drill.

Your husband sounds painfully ignorant. Please send him the thread about blind cords to read.

It’s not hard to figure out how to use a drill. Ffs go to Homebase tell them what you want to do and they’ll show you all the stuff you need. Stop being lazy.

Honestly use youtube and learn to use a drill.
This could be remedied in 2 minutes. Your OH is being a lazy arse. He doesn't want to do it but is worried his male ego will be bruised if you have to call a 'professional' for such a simple task!

It's more about using the right drill bit and screw etc for the type of wall.

Seriously. YouTube it
You need a masonry drill bit and general rawl plugs and acres - b and q sell compatible packs.
It's a blind cord not neurosurgery - just bloody do it

*screws

I stuck the safety catches on with no more nails. 2 minute job. You can buy the catches from eBay.

You don't need a drill if your window frames are wooden, just a couple of screws.

This is your child's life, you must get it sorted.

Children have died from blind cords. In fact where I live it is now law that when fitters fit blinds they have to put up a hook for the cord. Also lots of companies make shorter cords now.

Please ignore your dh and sort this yourself. You can buy stick on hooks if no one can use a drill. Put one high up on the wall and wrap the cord around it.

Your over thinking the drill, its obvious when you use it what size drill bit to use. Raw plugs and screws are all available in B&Q - you can even ask for help!!

You are both being unreasonable, get it fixed.

It's disgusting that they haven't worked out a foolproof way to make these blinds safe, twenty years ago they were warning of the dangers and yet nothing has been done to make them safe.

Just to clarify, I was going to ignore DH anyway but he makes me feel like I am really unreasonable for doing so and that I always get my way. I would let him get his way once in a while if his way wasn't so stupid

They are fairly high up anyway (boob height on me) but I've used clothes pegs to clip them up at my head height so they are even further out of the way. I will pop out to the Range at lunch despite the weather to get some wall plugs with screws in them and have a go with the drill tonight.

children have died from this, there is a long time window when they can wrap stuff round their necks and think they can fly. The instant solution is a clothes-peg; fold up the cords and peg the whole thing to the top of the blind until you can fix it properly. Go and do that RIGHT NOW.

oops, cross post - it is done, phew!

Just to add as well we never leave DS unsupervised at the moment unless he's in the playpen, jumperoo or cot, but I want to get it done now as I know we will get more relaxed as he gets older!