Summer Safety, Inside and Out: Check Your Window Coverings for Potential Hazards
NEW YORK (June 2006) – With warmer weather finally upon us, families are getting ready to enjoy some downtime—both indoors and out. But along with the fun-filled days of summer comes the challenge of keeping your kids safe. In between applying sunscreen and insect repellent, take a minute to think about the potential hazards that may be lurking inside your home. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is shedding some light on window-cord safety by recommending that consumers follow these simple steps:Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children.
Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short, that continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall, and that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill. Consider installing cordless window coverings in children’s bedrooms and play areas.
Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today’s safer products or retrofit them with cord- retrofit devices.
By following these safety tips, parents can play an active role in eliminating potential window-cord hazards in their home and protecting their families this summer.
The Window Covering Safety Council is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council has been instrumental in the industry’s redesign of corded products, supporting the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings, and encouraging the use of cordless products in children’s rooms and play areas.
For more information, please visit www.windowcoverings.org.