Cordless Safety for Kids
Since 2019, you have probably noticed a change in the blinds and other window coverings available on retail shelves. All of the stock products are cordless lift and tilt. Retailers have been replacing their corded stock products with cordless versions to comply with a new safety standard. That standard went into effect December 15th, 2018.
Why? At one point, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that accidental strangulation by corded window coverings was one of the top 5 hazards in American homes. According to one study, 155 out of 231 infants and children succumbed to window blind cord entanglements between 1996 and 2012. In other words, about 9 to 10 children died per year in incidents involving corded blinds.
So, the WCMA cooperated with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop a new safety standard for window coverings. The standard requires that “all stock products sold in stores and online—which account for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S. and Canada—to be cordless or have inaccessible cords.”
More Than Just Flukes
You might be looking at the statistic of 9 or 10 children a year and thinking: these are rare and are just flukes or freak accidents. However, many of the parents whose child are included in that number had more than likely thought the same thing.
The dangerous thing about cord entanglement is that strangulation is silent and can happen in a matter of minutes. If you’ve already made the effort to make your home as child-safe as possible, include cordless window treatments to make it safer.
“Best For Kids” Certification
Deciding which products are safe for your children have been made really easy and there are many products available. Since 2015, the WCMA also has a certification for child-safe window coverings called Best for Kids™. This certification means that the window covering product has does not have cords (or has cords that do not create a hazard). The product must be laboratory tested and approved to receive this certification.
If you have children in your home, consider getting cordless blinds and shades for their safety. Look for this certification on any window covering products you choose.
Cords Are Still Available If Needed
Cordless blinds and shades may not be for you if there are unique conditions that affect how you operate them. Custom window coverings can still be ordered with corded operation if you need them. If you have a high budget, order motorized window coverings which are both child-safe and convenient to operate.