Child Safe Window Treatments

Do you know if you have “child safe” window treatments?

A young child can become seriously injured, or worse, in 60 seconds or less if they were to get tangled up with the cords on window treatments. This is because the muscles in their necks that surround their esophagus are not as strong as those in teens and adults. As a result, these cords will cut off their oxygen supply and ability to call for help much faster. This is one reason that you should consider installing “child safe” window treatments in your home.

According to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there were approximately 17,000 injuries among children younger than 6 years of age between 1990 and 2015 that were “window blind related.”

The best option for window coverings in a home with children is to go cordless or motorized. If cordless or motorized products are not available then the next best option is to make sure that the cords are secured properly and out of the reach of children.

Any window treatments fabricated today have to comply with all current regulations for cord safety. These regulations are slightly different for each product type. They all have the same goal of keeping our children safe and healthy. Many window treatment manufacturers have partnered with the Window Coverings Safety Council and fabricate products that qualify for the WCSC’s Best For Kids™ Certification Program. New regulations will go into effect in June 2024 that will have additional guidelines for manufacturers to adhere to.

Remember when buying a new home, it may have existing blinds or shades that were manufactured prior to the current regulations going into effect. If you are concerned about what was in your home, you may want to consider replacing those window treatments with newer, safety-compliant products. At the very least, have a window coverings professional come out to look at your situation and give you an honest assessment.

For anyone that has a nursery in their home, make sure to move all furniture, cribs, beds, and climbable surfaces away from windows to prevent access to any cords that may be hanging down.

Other checks you can perform to make your home “child safe” include:

• Avoid using crib comforters, bumpers, and baby pillows inside the crib. They can pose a safety hazard and might smother a baby.
• Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if necessary.
• Cover all electrical outlets. Make sure that the covers cannot be removed, and are large enough to prevent a choking hazard in case a cover was left off or came loose.
• Make sure the changing table has safety straps, and store baby-care products well out of the child’s reach.
• Consider installing window guards to keep children from falling out of an open window. Just make sure that each window guard has a quick-release mechanism in case an emergency exit is necessary.

If you would like to know if your existing window treatments are safe for kids, or if you would like to update your window coverings with new products that are safe for kids, please contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants. We can walk you through the process from selection to installation.