October is National Window Covering Safety Month

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are urging consumers to check their window coverings, especially this month, for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. WCSC, CPSC and safety experts strongly recommend that consumers use only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords in homes with young children.

“CPSC joins with the window covering industry and safety advocates in recommending that only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords be used in homes with young children to prevent window-covering cord strangulations,” says CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle. “For homes with children, make certain all window shades, blinds and draperies do not have cords that are within the reach of a child.”

According to the CPSC, corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window covering cords. To increase public awareness of window covering cord dangers, the WCSC and CPSC have again declared October as National Window Covering Safety Month.

“New industry innovations and safety standards have provided consumers with more choices than ever to obtain cordless products or those with inaccessible cords,” says Window Covering Safety Council Executive Director, Peter Rush.  “Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with the many cordless products available in different styles, colors and sizes.”

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.  In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must submit their products to a recognized third-party test laboratory for review and analysis to determine if they meet the Best for Kids program criteria. For products that meet the criteria, the lab sends a report to the company that these products may be labeled Best for Kids™.

WCSC also encourages parents and caregivers to follow these window covering safety guidelines:

• 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.  The label enables you to easily identify products best suited for homes with young children.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• When window cords are present, ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, by shortening or moving them up and away, so that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit http://www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitter for more home safety information and ideas.