Child Safety Options For Window Treatments

As a mother of two, I understand the importance of a child safe environment in your home. Although my kids are older now (15 and 19), child safety in window treatments is still is a very important topic for me to share with my clients, most of whom have very young kids.

There have been several injuries and deaths that have happened over the years as a result of strangulation from dangling cords on window coverings. These injuries and deaths could have been avoided.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found corded window coverings as one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window cords.

The Window Covering Safety Council urges parents and caregivers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children.

WCSC recommends that only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords be used in homes with young children.

The Window Covering Safety Council has been around since 1994 and is a coalition of US manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. They are dedicated to educating consumers about the potential  dangers of window-cords

Image via WindowCoverings.org

Not only do they provide education and awareness, they also provide consumers with free retrofit kits to help make their existing window treatments child safe.They regularly disseminate news and informational materials through the media and partnerships with various public and private organizations concerned with child safety, health and well-being.

Order a free retrofit kit here 

How To retrofit

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is another organization dedicated to educating consumers about the potential dangers of cord window treatments.

Window covering manufacturers have come a long way in innovations and technology with safety in mind. These days, there are several options for cordless window treatments.

To aid consumers in making the right choice when selecting window coverings, cordless options can easily be identified by the new Best for Kids™ certification program.  In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must meet the specified program criteria and submit their window covering products to a designated third party testing laboratory.  Once products pass testing, they may be labeled Best for Kids™.  These products are readily available nationwide

Here are some examples of Best For Kids certified products which are available through Casa Vilora Interiors

Most of these window treatments can also be motorized with a remote control for easy operation

Some Safety Tips To Keep In Mind

1. Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.

1. Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children.  Eliminate any dangling cords.

2. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are as short as possible

3. Check that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords.

4. Continuous-loop cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be permanently anchored to the floor or wall.

5. Learn how to retrofit older window coverings. Better Yet… replace older corded window blinds, shades and draperies with today’s safer products.  And use only non-corded window coverings in homes with infants and young children.

Click here for some additional design and safety tips to keep in mind when decorating a child’s bedroom

Wishing You Beauty And Inspiration (And Safety)