A Parent's Guide to Child-Safe Window Treatments
Keeping Your Family Safe with the Right Window Treatments
Window treatment safety is a critical consideration for any home with young children or pets. Corded window coverings pose a strangulation risk that has led to hundreds of injuries and fatalities. The good news: today's cordless and motorized options are safer than ever.
Understanding the Risks
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified corded window coverings as one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes. Traditional pull cords, continuous loop cords, and inner lift cords can form loops that pose a strangulation risk to young children.
Cordless Options
Cordless window treatments eliminate external cords entirely. They operate with a simple push-up/pull-down motion for shades or a built-in tilt mechanism for blinds. Cordless options are available for virtually every product type: cellular shades, roller shades, roman shades, and blinds.
Motorized Systems
Motorized window treatments are the gold standard for child safety. With no cords of any kind, they're operated by remote control, smartphone app, or voice command. Battery-powered motors make it easy to retrofit existing windows without new wiring.
Retrofit Safety Devices
If you have existing corded window treatments, retrofit safety devices can reduce risk. Cord cleats secure loose cords out of reach. Cord condensers shorten accessible cord lengths. Tension devices keep continuous loop cords taut against the wall. While helpful, the CPSC recommends replacing corded treatments in children's rooms with cordless or motorized alternatives.
What We Recommend
At Hampton Shade Company, we recommend cordless or motorized window treatments for every home with children under 8 years old. During your consultation, we'll identify any existing safety concerns and recommend the best solutions for each window.
For homes with existing corded treatments, we offer a Child Safety Acknowledgment that outlines risks and our recommendations. Schedule a consultation to discuss safe options for your home.
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