Some people may believe that because they do not have young children living with them or visiting regularly, window cord safety is not a major concern, and the installation of cordless window coverings is unnecessary. However, window coverings tend to last a long time, and when homes are sold or new renters move in, existing window coverings that could be hazardous to new occupants with young children often remain installed. Those window coverings may pose a strangulation hazard to young children.
Corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in the home, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), due to the strangulation hazard that exposed cords can present to young children.
A new national survey from the WCSC found that only 68% of consumers have updated their window coverings since 2018, the year a new safety standard went into effect which required all stock products sold in stores and online to be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords. These findings are concerning, as a large number of US homes may still contain older window coverings, highlighting the importance of taking action to update the window coverings with today’s safer, cordless products.
When consumers purchase new window covering products, it is critical to take this important safety concern into consideration. The Window Covering Safety Council strongly urges anyone installing window coverings in homes to purchase only window coverings that are cordless or have cords that are inaccessible to young children.
It’s easier than ever to identify cordless window covering products, which come in various styles, designs, colors and benefits offered. Consumers should look for products marked with the Best For Kids™ logo, available at all major US retailers. Products marked with this logo either have no cords or no operating cords that are accessible or which that can create a hazardous loop.