When Decorating the Nursery - Safety Comes First!
The day is fast approaching when the pitter-patter of tiny feet will be heard running through your house. Your due date is getting closer; the baby shower was a huge success, and plans for decorating the nursery are at hand.You have visions of sheer polyester window panels with satin ribbon accents hanging over pastel mini blinds. An exquisite canopied round crib with tapered legs off-center in the room, a spindled rocker in one corner, and a matching changing table across the room, under a whimsical mobile dancing in a gentle breeze.
Before making window covering selection, however, a few words of caution. Not all window blinds are the same; there are a few dos and don'ts to consider. That is because when it comes to decorating the nursery - safety comes first!
Vinyl mini blinds are the perfect window covering for a nursery, but select blinds carefully. Many of the cheaper, imported vinyl mini blinds contain lead. When tiny fingers that have touched the blinds are put in the mouth, harmful levels of lead dust may be present.
For safety sake, always cover windows with vinyl mini blinds made without lead or wood blinds manufactured in the United States; ones that comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety regulations.
Another wise feature to look for when making window covering selection for the nursery is a safety-wand device that replaces the pull cord. Low hanging loops and cords represent a safety hazard for small children. Many newer styles of window blinds and mini blinds come with an optional wand for this very reason.
Crib placement should never be close enough to the window that window coverings can be grabbed by the child. Besides being unsafe, drafts from the window might also present a problem.
While mini blinds are the perfect window covering in the nursery, be sure they are quality made and ANSI approved. Also look for the safety-wand feature. Or select a remembrance roller style of roller shade from the Hunter Douglas line; ones that have a soft rise option feature, without a continuous cord loop. Hunter Douglas offers a full line of roller shades made from bright, juvenile printed fabric, with acrylic backing for durability and room darkening purposes.
Of course, interior window screens such as Phifer Sun Control fabric window screens are another safe alternative. They enhance room decor while filtering out light, and reducing the fading of carpets and room furnishings.
Phifer SheerWeave Style 2000 window screens are perfect for upper floor nurseries where full coverage of windows for privacy purposes isn’t necessary. They are made from vinyl coated fiberglass yarns using a full basket-weave design. Heat, sun glare and UV rays are effectively controlled, without hiding outside view.
Decorating the nursery to be as safe for your new bundle of joy as it is visually appealing is important. Add a musical teddy bear, the soft gurgling sounds of your baby, love…and enjoy precious moments you'll never forget!