As parents, the safety of our children is our top priority. We naturally assume that products available on the market, especially those designed for children, meet the necessary safety standards. However, the reality can be quite different. Shockingly, some products intended to keep our little ones safe may inadvertently become sources of harm due to poor engineering and design.
Join us as we unravel the essential question: What are the safety standards for children, and, more importantly, why are they crucial?
What is a safety standard?
A safety standard is a set of guidelines, criteria, or specifications designed to ensure that products meet certain safety requirements. These standards are developed by regulatory bodies, industry organisations, or consensus groups to address potential risks and hazards.
Safety standards outline the minimum acceptable levels of safety for products such as material safety, structural integrity, and design features to prevent potential hazards. Adherence to these standards provides parents with confidence that the products they purchase have undergone rigorous testing and meet established safety criteria.
Do you know the Safety Standards?
When it comes to child safety, it's essential to be informed about safety standards. Keep an eye out for the following on our packaging:
- Locks and Latches (EN 16948): Consumer-fitted child-resistant drawer and cupboard locking devices.
- Door Stoppers (EN 16554): Devices to prevent fingers from being trapped in doors.
- Safety Barriers (EN 1930): Safety barriers, including stair gates.
- EN71 Series: Safety requirements for toys.
Why Compliance Matters
Ensuring our products meet and exceed safety standards is not just a legal requirement; it's our responsibility. Non-compliant products pose significant risks:
- Additional Hazards: Installation may introduce new risks, such as detached corner protectors becoming choking hazards.
- Entrapment Risks: Non-compliant products may create new entrapment risks for children.
- Inferior Materials: Products made from subpar materials can fail under pressure, compromising safety.
- Forgetting Functionality: Products with on/off functions may be forgotten, putting your child at risk.
- Installation Challenges: Difficult-to-fit products are often incorrectly installed, rendering them ineffective.
- Attractive to Children: Non-compliant products may attract children, increasing the likelihood of play-related accidents.
Our Solution
As parents ourselves, we know the peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is safe. That's why we've worked tirelessly to align our entire product range with the latest EU safety rules.
Our commitment to safety begins with the materials we use. Unlike typical safety products made from commodity-type plastics, Fred products are crafted from engineered high-performance materials. This ensures durability, reliability, and a level of safety that goes beyond the ordinary.
Wherever possible, Fred products automatically close as a cupboard, drawer or gate is shut. Unlocking our products will ALWAYS require a 2 or even 3 way toddler proof action and we have made it possible for parents to temporarily remove products when they need to between children in a way that they can later be safely re-installed.