Important Family Safety Message for National Window Covering Safety Month

Windows frame our view of the world surrounding our environments. Did you know window covering cords are identified as one of the top five hidden hazards within our homes according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)? We're helping to increase awareness of the danger of potential strangulation hazards exposed cords can present to young children. October is National Window Covering Safety Month, the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is encouraging families to use only cordless or inaccessible cord window covering products in homes with young children. This year's theme for National Window Covering Safety Month is- What's Best for Kids – Go Cordless. Read and share this important family safety message for National Window Covering Safety Month.

Important Family Safety Message for National Window Covering Safety Month

"During the last year, we've all learned new ways to keep our kids safe, whether at home or in public. It's important to make sure that your home and the homes of your child's provide the best possible environment for young children. This includes checking to make sure that all window coverings are cordless," said WCSC Executive Director Peter Rush.

Here's an easy way for consumers to identify window covering products that are safer for homes with young children, always look for products marked with the Best For Kids™ logo. Any products marked with this logo will either not have cords, have non-operational cords, use inner cords that are not accessible or are also incapable of creating a hazardous loop. Products which are labeled as Best For Kids™ products are required to be tested by a third-party and are available at major US retailers.

Addressing safety concerns, families are informed and empowered to "Go Cordless" following the implementation of window covering safety standard. Effective since 2018, protective measures require all window covering stock products (products commonly sold in retail stores and online that are completely or substantially pre-assembled in advance) to be cordless or have inaccessible cords to reduce the potential strangulation hazard dangerous, exposed cords can present to young children.

"National Window Covering Safety Month is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to make sure the window coverings in their homes are what's best for kids," said Rush. "Safety advocates and the window covering industry all recommend that families in homes with young kids should only use cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords to limit the risk of accidents."

The Window Covering Safety Council recommends taking time during National Window Covering Safety Month as an opportunity for families to make sure window coverings in their homes follow guidelines for window covering safety-

- Install only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children. Replace window blinds and corded shades with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords marked with the Best for Kids™ certification label.

- If the corded window coverings can't be replaced with today's safer products at this time, parents and caregivers should check for the following-

 

- Keep all window covering cords well out of the reach of children. Eliminate any dangling cords.

- Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window covering cords, preferably to another wall.

- Make certain that tasseled pull cords are tied up out of reach and as short as possible.

- Continuous-loop cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be permanently anchored to the floor or wall.

- Check that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords.

For more information on window covering cord safety, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more home safety information and ideas.

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry's ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC's activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers seeking more information can visit WCSC's website at www.windowcoverings.org.

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