Deva blinds day 2014

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Others think it is Valentines day, but we prefer to remember today as the anniversary of the launch of devablinds.co.uk.

Yet again we have grown hugely.  Last year we bought all our blinds from other manufacturers, now we manufacture 99% of our blinds in our factory in Chester.

It has been a hard time and growth shows many problems that need solving.  Things are running well now and we are producing our blinds quickly and well made.

I thank both our major suppliers, Decora blinds, Louvolite blinds, bloc blinds, santafe shutters and others but more importantly the customers of Deva blinds.

The most important part of any company is the staff that work for it.  We have been lucky and we employ a very dedicated and committed team.

The year ahead shows very exciting times, the diary is always full.

My wife May runs the factory and tells me that it is not only Deva blinds day, but also Valentines day, I did buy her flowers and chocolates!

Happy Valentines day.

Deva blinds join the “Make it safe” campaign

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With the immanent ratification of BS EN 13120 where it will be mandatory for manufacturers and installers in the blinds industry to provide child safe blinds, Deva blinds have decided to join the “Make it Safe” campaign run by the British Blinds and Shutters Association.

Paul Pollard-Fraser, owner of Deva blinds said, “We have always taken child safety seriously when we fit blinds.  The new European legislation, BS EN 13120, is about to come become law.  By joining the “Make it safe” campaign run by the BBSA we will remain up to date with the legislation.”

“I am keen wherever possible to manufacture our blinds that do not pose a risk to young children and as such we no longer make vertical blinds with looped cords.  Our vertical blinds are now controlled by a wand, which is 100% child safe.”

“I installed a Roman blind made by one of our out sourced suppliers today.  The blind had a contentious looped cord and they had supplied a “P” clip that could not be attached to the cord.  As much use as a chocolate tea pot!.  The whole industry needs to get very serious about child safety.”

 

 

Make it safe

 

 

Paul Pollard-Fraser – Deva Blinds Ltd  devablinds.co.uk 

Second child in a week dies in Australia after getting tangled in blind cord

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Another toddler has died after becoming entangled in a blind cord – the second incident in less than a week.

The 15-month-old girl was found choking on the cord about 6.25pm at a home on Hillcrest Road, Quakers Hill.

Paramedics and a CareFlight doctor worked to resuscitate the child before taking her to Westmead Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, where she later died.

Last Thursday, a 16-month-old girl in Hornsby died after becoming entangled in a cord while she slept in her cot.

 

And in August last year, 18-month-old Jack Mackay, from Mallabula, north of Newcastle, also died when he was caught up in blind cords.

KidSafe executive officer Christine Erksine said parents were not always aware of the dangers posed by blind cords.

“It’s just one of those horrible accidents that can happen,’’ Ms Erskine said. ‘‘It’s just something you wouldn’t be aware of.

“One of the issues is in smaller rooms, there’s not much choice about where to put furniture, so you may put the cot against the window for light and space.

‘‘We suggest that cots and bedding are away from a window. And you have blinds and cords that meet the new standards.’’

In 2010, the government introduced mandatory standards for blinds, stating that manufacturers had to include a warning label about cords on the packaging and attached to the cord itself.

Blinds also have to now come with instructions on how to install cords to prevent child injuries.

 

At least 11 children died in Australia between 2001 and 2008 after being caught in blind cords, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said.

It recommends tying cords out of reach of children. The ACCC has put together an information sheet for parents on blind cord safety.

Detectives from Quakers Hill Local Area Command are investigating Tuesday’s incident.

 

A post mortem examination will be conducted to determine how the child died.