We all know that a home can pose many hazards to young children, but did you know that your window treatments are one of them?
In fact, since 1991, 160 infants across the U.S. have died due to accidental strangulation involving window shade cords. These deaths could have been prevented with child safe window treatments and preventative safety measures.
Take time to check all windowed areas of the home for potential window cord hazards and making sure that cribs, beds and other furniture are moved away from windows, preferably to another wall." Other important cord-safety rules include:
- Keeping all window cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short, and that continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall.
- Locking cords into position when lowering horizontal blinds or shades.
- Repairing window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with retrofit cord repair devices, or replacing them with today's safer products.
- Considering using cordless window coverings in children's bedrooms and play area. A wide variety of cordless products are now available.
Existing shades and blinds can be made more child safe with the addition of cord cleats and cord tensioners. When using a cord cleat, the device is installed high and out of reach of small children and then excess cord is wound around it. This prevents children from becoming entangled in the dangling, loose cord. For window treatments operating with a cord loop, a cord tensioner can be installed to keep cords taut and prevent them from twisting and tangling. Free repair kits and useful information about cord safety are available on the Window Covering Safety Council's Web site at www.windowcoverings.org, or by calling (800) 506-4636. |
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