October is known as National Window Covering Safety Month. But actually every month should be child safety awareness month.
Babies and children are naturally curious and cords within their reach can pose a dangerous hazard. Making our home safer for our children, our grandchildren, our guest's children and our pets should be a top priority for us in our homes or places of work.
Prevention begins with awareness.
- Position cribs, beds, playpens and other furniture on walls without windows and window cords.
- Check your current window treatments for exposed or dangling cords.
- Keep cords out of reach of children or pets.
- Eliminate any dangling cords with cordless window treatments.
- Permanently anchor continuous cord loop window covering cords to the floor or wall.
Because we still need privacy or protection from the heat or cold at our windows, the window treatment manufacturers have developed many safety features to protect our loved ones.
Cordless options are available. When you put your hand under the shade and push up, the shade moves and there are no visible cords.
Motorization is available. Often we think of this option when the
windows are high, but motorization is also an option for windows that are over the child's bed or near where they play.
Wands are an option. Opening and closing can be achieved with twisting a wand and there is no need for any operating cords.
Cord tensioners need to be securely mounted. These spring tension brackets hold the looped cord taut so a loose cord cannot get wrapped around a child's or pet's neck.
Cords with break-away tassels keep the cord from being a continuous loop when weight is applied to the cord. The tassel just separates and becomes separate cords.
Cord cleats allow you to wrap the loose cords securely and has a neater appearance when using a corded shade.
There are many wonderful options available to keep your kids and pets safe. Find the one that fits you best.