Keep Your Toddlers & Pets Safe Child-Proof Your Window Treatments

Child Safety Guidelines

This morning ( 8/13/2010) we have a recall of historic proportions. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the window blind industry are recalling virtually every Roman blind and roller shade on the market -- around 50 million sets -- because the cords pose a strangulation hazard to children. Five children have died and another 16 have nearly strangled in the cords of the Roman shades and three children's deaths have been linked to roll-up blinds, which is why the CSPC negotiated the massive recall. But the agency said it's frustrated that it was necessary since the products should have been safer in the first place.

The CPSC urged owners of Roman blinds or roll-up shades to call the Window Covering Safety Council for information on the repair kit at (800) 506-4636 or visit www.windowcoverings.org. Consumers can also buy roll-up blinds with a breakaway device that gives way if a child is caught in the cord, or use blinds that do not have cords at all.

In addition to the CPSC's recall, some major retailers are issuing recalls of their own. Walmart issued recalls for 500,000 Roman shades and 600,000 roll-up blinds. JCPenny recalled more than 2.2 million Roman shades and about 340 roll-up blinds. The Pottery Barn recalled about 305,000 Roman shades and 45,000 roller shades.

• Tension pulleys and tie-down devices in all continuous loop pull cords
• Tassel ends on lift cords
• Cord stops on horizontal blind lift cords that prevent user from pulling internal cords through the slats
• For free retro-fit kits which include cord stops, tassels and tie-down devices or for more window-cord safety information go to: www.windowcoverings.org or call 1-800-506-4636
• The thing with vinyl mini blinds -- you have to be careful about lead. Back in 1996 the CPSC discovered lead in vinyl blinds imported from Mexico and Asia. The plastic would break down, causing lead dust to form making it a serious health hazard for tots(Lead Poisoning Hazard). If you think your blinds qualify, throw them out.
  

Window blinds purchased before 2001 pose a serious home safety threat to child safety. Every two weeks, a child dies by strangulation from unsafe blind cords. These tragic deaths happen in cribs, play areas, and living rooms. The WCSC recommends cordless blinds and shades whenever possible, including shades with motorized lift. Wand control operation is another cordless choice for vertical blinds and panel track blinds, which are typically necessary for larger windows and patio doors. When the position of the window or large size of the shade prevents a cordless or motorized choice, the WCSC also approves the use of a continuous cord loop - this option features clutch-assisted lift control with a looped cord that is anchored to the wall and remains the same length regardless of the position of the shade

Continuous cord loop is ideal for those windows you want to make cordless but can’t because of size or position. It’s a control cord on a continuous loop that has hardware to screw into the side of your casing that keeps the cord on it’s own track, so to speak. This way you have no loose hanging cords to obstruct your view, and it is also safer if there are kids in your home.

It is easy to make today's window treatments safer for young children with just a few simple adjustments, to prevent these tragic accidents.
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1. All vertical blinds are available with a single wand operation with no cord or chain.
2. Cellular shades have cordless and motorized options.
   
3. Precautions None of these precautions are 100% full-proof, and should not be considered an alternative to direct parental supervision. All cord safety it ultimately the responsibility of the parent.
4. Do not leave curtain and blind cords hanging. Keep the cords out of the reach of children.
5. If you already have blinds, make sure that they are safe by eliminating any looped cords.
6. Cut the cords short or wrap them around a cord cleat..  Whether the blind is up or down, make sure children can't reach the cord.
7. Keep sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases away from windows to prevent children from climbing up to reach the curtain or blind cord.
8. First and foremost, there is no substitute for direct parental supervision.
9. If you have blinds with looped cords, you can make them child-safe by cutting the cord and attaching a new tassel to each cut end.

Many products now come with special features which enhance product safety. If you have small children, you'll want to look for these features:

1. Break-Thru Safety Tassels break apart and separate when pressure is applied on them. Separated tassels or break-thru tassels, Venetian Blind Tassel or Equalizer can still be VERY dangerous if the cord is still very long, or has even a small twist in it.
2. Motorization features eliminate lift cords through battery operated remote controls. Shades can be lifted and lowered at the touch of a button, and should anything get in its way, the built-in Safety-Stop automatically stops the shade.
3. Cordless blinds/shades are the safest window covering alternative; ideal for homes with children and pets. Elimination of lift cords and cord loops provides a more attractive, uncluttered appearance.
4. No matter what choice is made for your window covering needs, please be careful and make the necessary precautions to help ensure your child's safety.

For additional safety tips

Child Care Safety

• 91 children have died since 2000 even on today's "safer" products

• The Mini Blind Cord Hazard

• News Reports on children dying in mini blinds

• Child Safety Publications

• The Who-I-Am Child Identification Kit

• Questions and Answers about Lead in Older Vinyl Mini Blinds

Child Safety Network

Poison Prevention

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A Child Safety Guide For Parents http://www.mychildsafety.net/index.html

Parents For Window Blind Safety - according to government statistics, a child dies every 2 weeks from mini blind strangulation - inner & outer cords. http://www.pfwbs.org

Baby Gates and Child Safety products by KidCo with Free Shipping. Discount Baby Gates