Are Your Window Treatments Safe?

Prompted by an upcoming article in Consumer Reports, I decided, with this entry, to touch on a subject that should be receiving a lot more attention..

An unbelievable number of blinds and shades have been recalled in recent months... 5.5 million, in fact, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These treatments were sold by retailers such as Ikea, Pottery Barn and Target and all pretty much had the same flaw in common... the CORDS! It seems the most guilty products were the roll-up blind and roller shade simply because of the way in which they are made and operate. And then throw in installation negligence by the consumer (as in failing to install cleats, etc.) and you have a real problem.

When you read some of the examples they cite of parents walking in to find their toddler dangling in his crib from a cord loop, the issue suddenly becomes very real and you realize how easily it could happen. It is estimated that about one child per months dies after becoming entangled in the cords of window blinds.

The aforementioned instance and a score of other tragic stories have prompted a massive recall and a public notice issued by the CPSC that consumers should examine all roman shades and roll-up blinds in their homes.

Consumer Reports quotes the CPSC as saying, "If they find looped pull cords, exposed inner cords, or exposed lifting loops and children live in or visit the home, they should consider replacing the blinds or shades with products that do not have exposed cords or inner cords".

What are the alternatives, then?

Many window treatment fabricators offer retractable cords (Hunter Douglas has UltraGlide that features a cord that always returns to the same short length and is available on most of it's shading treatments, including Silhouette and Pirouette), cordless and even motorized operating systems that are both child and pet safe. These upgradable options are well worth the extra money you spend... not only because of the peace of mind they give but also for their convenience of use. And even if you choose not to upgrade, the standard cord-loop operation on many of these products come ready to be fastened securely to the window, so that there is no way a child or pet could get caught or wrapped up in the cord.

Please contact Interior VUES if you would like more information about any of these products and options. As always, we offer free consultations, estimates and measuring!