Hi Friends, it’s Gus, your local door and window expert! October is National Window Covering Safety Month, a time to spotlight something we might not think about but can be a big deal when it comes to keeping kids safe—window cords! Believe it or not, about one child a month loses their life due to strangulation from window cords. As parents, keeping our little ones safe is priority number one, but some dangers are easy to overlook. Picture this: your baby’s crawling around, finds a loose cord, and before you know it, it’s wrapped around them. Or, placing a crib near a window with cords hanging down—another risk!
Let’s face it… kids and window covering cords just don’t go together—like peanut butter and pickles! What looks like a simple cord can quickly become a strangulation hazard for little ones, especially with older window coverings that might not meet today’s safety standards.
The best solution? Cordless window coverings! If you have infants or toddlers at home, aim for cordless options whenever possible. But if you’ve still got corded window coverings hanging around, don’t panic. Just make sure to check for the following hazards, and you can even order a free retrofit kit to upgrade your setup. Learn how to retrofit older window coverings by clicking here.
Even Better….
Why not just swap out those older, corded blinds, shades, and draperies for newer, safer products? And remember, cordless is key in homes with babies or young kids.
Per the Window Covering Safety Council, here are some simple tips to keep your space kid-friendly:
- Move cribs, beds, furniture, and toys away from windows and cords—better safe than sorry!
- Keep tasseled pull cords as short as you can.
- Anchor any continuous-loop cords on drapes or vertical blinds securely to the wall or floor.
- Say goodbye to dangling cords—keep them well out of reach.
- Double-check that cord stops are installed and adjusted to limit how much the inner lift cords can move.
Granbury Door and Window offers a solution for your patio door that has corded blinds or curtains. Patio doors with blinds between the panes, offer solutions for, not only the cord issue, but also from a cleaning perspective, as these doors save time. You can even add a pet door so that Rover or Fluffy can have the freedom to enter and exit as needed. Give us a call at 817-279-1066 to schedule your free consultation today!
Every parent wants a safe home for their little ones, and it starts with smart choices. Stick to cordless window coverings or products with inaccessible cords. And if you’re upgrading, look for ones certified “Best for Kids” to keep your home as safe as can be!
