What is anti-ligature?

When an item is described as being “anti-ligature” this means that the item has been designed to prevent someone using it to commit suicide, by hanging or strangling themselves.

Ligature is anything that binds or ties, and in this context used for self-strangulation or hanging by being attached to a ligature anchor point.

Anti-ligature textile items, such as bedding and clothing, are designed to be anti-rip.  This prevents the user from creating a long enough rope to attach to a ligature anchor point. However, no fabric can be classed as 100% guaranteed unrippable. We recommend that the person wearing and using anti-ligature clothing and bedding is monitored to avoid any deliberate damage.

Bear in mind that a service user needs the following in place to commit suicide by hanging: 1) Ligature (a rope or noose etc), 2) Ligature anchor point (bed leg, door handle etc) and 3) The opportunity.  As a provider of care to service users, you can help prevent the person from harming themselves by taking away just one of these 3 aspects.

View our range of anti-ligature bedding and clothing