Going Cordless for Kids for Window Covering Safety Month
October is National Window Covering Safety Month, an important safety initiative supported by the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and safety advocates to alert parents and caregivers about the potential strangulation hazards to young children from window covering cords.
According to CPSC, corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes. Many of these incidents involve older products which are still in use and do not have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade. The window covering industry and CPSC urges parents and care givers to replace window coverings with accessible cords with cordless products in homes with young children.
Kids are curious, constantly exploring the world around them. Watch and share WCSC’s new public service announcement, “Little Hands,” and help spread the word about window cord safety and what parents can do to help keep their kids safe.
“Given the plethora of products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords, alongside the Best for Kids™ label, it’s easier and more accessible than ever for parents and caregivers to find safe window covering options for their homes.”
The Window Covering Safety Council recommends the following 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.
Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window covering cords.
When window covering cords are present, ensure that all window covering cords are out of sight and reach, by shortening or moving them up and away, so that they are inaccessible to young children.
The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) urges consumers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. WCSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and safety experts strongly recommend that only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords be used in homes with young children.
Consumers can easily identify cordless window covering options available at major retailers across the country by looking for the Best for Kids™ certification label on the packaging of a large variety of products.
To find out more about the Window Covering Safety Council and their Best for Kids Certification Program, click here.
