Why we hide the cord in FRIDANS
Children are curious and love to investigate things. These character traits also mean we have to be aware of safety when we decorate our homes. Accessible cords on traditional blinds have been known to cause accidents with children. That’s why we developed FRIDANS block-out roller blind. It has a rod that you use to adjust the blind – a safe solution for children, and functional for all ages.
In 2014, we got an invitation, along with other manufacturers of blinds, to meet with the Consumer Product Safety Commission – a governmental agency in the United States. They wanted to discuss how to prevent accidents with blinds that have accessible cords, and what possibilities there were to create something better. One of our Product Engineers, Bo Zhang, remembers it well. “We decided to immediately stop selling blinds with cords and only sell cordless ones.”
New solution but the same function
The decision meant some frustrated customers who wondered where the traditional blinds had gone. But it also meant that change was on the way. Bo and the team tried several different solutions until they came up with one that provided the same functionality as blinds with visible cords. “We realised we could keep the cord, but hide it,” he explains. The cord is inside a plastic rod that’s expandable and reinforced with strong glass fibre. When you pull it, you adjust the blind. “It’s safe, exact, and still at a low price,” says Bo proudly. The rod has not only been tested by our own lab, but also independent test labs. In addition, customers have checked the functionality. “By involving different people and organisations, we’ve made sure FRIDANS and the rod can meet the toughest demands – in every market,” says Bo. “The rod allows parents to create a safer environment for the youngest family members. When you live with children, that’s one important part of a better life at home,” he finishes.
When a safer home is a better home
The rod has not only been tested by our own lab, but also independent test labs. In addition, customers have checked the functionality. “By involving different people and organisations, we’ve made sure FRIDANS and the rod can meet the toughest demands – in every market,” says Bo. “The rod allows parents to create a safer environment for the youngest family members. When you live with children, that’s one important part of a better life at home,” he finishes.
