The short answer
Short answer: a plantation shutter is operated by hand on the louvre or the panel, so there is no cord, chain or loop anywhere on the window. That removes the hazard entirely rather than managing it, which is why nurseries and playrooms are one of the most common reasons families call us.
- Cords on shutters
- None at all
- Blind options
- Cordless, motorised, tensioned
- Best rooms
- Nurseries, playrooms, landings
What the safe options add to the quote
Shutters are cordless by design, so on a shutter quote there is no safety premium at all, which is one reason families with toddlers end up choosing them over fabric in nurseries and playrooms.
On blinds, a cordless spring roller is usually within a few pounds of a chain version. Battery motorisation is the bigger step, typically adding around £120 to £180 a blind including the handset, and it needs a charging point or a periodic charge, so it earns its place on high or hard to reach windows more than on a standard bedroom sash.
Why shutters remove the risk rather than manage it
Blind safety devices work by keeping a cord out of reach: cleats, tensioners, breakaway connectors. They rely on being used correctly every single time. A shutter has nothing to reach, because the panel is pushed and the louvre is tilted by hand.
There is also nothing to replace as a child grows, and nothing that gets left off after a window clean.
Safer blind choices where a blind is right
Not every window suits a shutter, and there are genuinely safe blind specifications. In children's rooms we specify cordless, spring or motorised operation, or tensioned side systems where the chain cannot form a loop.
- Cordless roller and pleated blinds
- Motorised blinds operated by remote or app
- Chain tensioners fixed to the wall as standard
- Perfect-fit blinds held in the frame with no free cord
Furniture and window position
Whatever the dressing, keep cots, beds and anything climbable away from the window. It is worth saying because it is the one part of window safety that no product choice fixes.
What we fit as standard
Shutters as supplied have no cords. Blinds are supplied with the appropriate safety devices fitted and installed, and we will always recommend a cordless or motorised option for a child's room.
Common questions
Are shutters child safe?
There are no cords, chains or loops on a plantation shutter, which is the main reason families choose them for nurseries.
Can louvres trap little fingers?
Louvres tilt with light finger pressure and there is no spring loading, so they do not snap shut.
What about pets?
Shutters are far more robust than fabric against cats and dogs at the window, and there is no cord to chew.
Are motorised blinds safe for children?
Yes, because there is no operating cord at all. They are a good answer for tall windows in a child's room.