Child Safe Cordless Products

Recalls due to safety concerns have been underway for years when it comes to corded window products. The cording poses a definite safety issue to small children. Homeowners and/or landlords that are aware of the frequent presence of small children should make safety considerations a high priority when purchasing window coverings.

1. Take a close look at your window coverings (vertical blinds, roman shades, cell shades, horizontal blinds, etc.) Regardless of what product is in use in your home. Just take a few minutes and really look at it. Are there ANY exposed cords on the sides, front or back of the product? This is the safety issue.

2. If exposed cording is discovered it needs to be remedied. Contact the manufacturer of your product (vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, cell shades, etc.) to request a retro-fit kit. Most manufacturers will provide them free of charge and they will include everything needed to remedy the safety issues of the exposed cording.

3. The best solution is replacement. If the option is viable financially homeowners and landlords alike are encouraged to remove corded products and replace them with corded options that offer all the same functions and features without the safety concerns. Almost every type of window covering offers cordless options (vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, cell shades, roman shades, etc.)

4. Safety can be ensured temporarily by tying down any looping cords. Hold downs are readily available at any hardware store. Another option is to cut them and tie them with a tassel. Never arrange a room so that there is large furniture next to a window. This increases the opportunity for a small child to gain access to the cords of a window covering.

Temporarily fixing the problem is an appropriate measure, but it is only a quick fix. To fully ensure that the problem is taken care of you should contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC). They offer free retro-fit kits to increase blinds safety. If at all possible, homeowners with small children in the home should consider replacing window coverings with cordless varieties to permanently solve the issue of child safety in relation to window treatments.

Chris Stanley is a window treatments expert at Blinds Chalet. Blinds Chalet has over 25 years of experience in the window coverings industry and strives to educate consumers about purchasing and installing window blinds before they buy.