October is Window Covering Safety Month

It doesn't seem possible that it has been a year since the last Window Covering Safety Month! I would like to say that the issues with window covering safety and children has been resolved, but there have been more deaths.

Over 200 children have died since 1990 by strangling on shade/blind cords. Many more have been injured. More recently, three children have been strangled on product cords. Millions of window coverings are being recalled by six companies: Lewis Hyman, Pottery Barn Kids, IKEA, Lutron, Vertical Land and Victoria Classics. Some of the coverings were also sold at Target and Expo Design Center stores. If you have purchased you window coverings from any of the sources, please contact them about your product.

The window covering industry is working to engineer changes in the cord mechanism for blinds (horizontal and vertical) and shades.

Here are some tips to help you keep your children safe:

1) Install only cordless window coverings in young children’s bedrooms and sleeping areas. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today’s safer products.

2) Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.

3) Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.

4) Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.

We have free retrofit kits available for blinds and shades. If you have these products that were purchased prior to 2001, you will need one of these kits. Amy and I will be happy to provide you with the appropriate kit and show you how to install it. Please contact us at 336-854-6085. For more information, go to www.windowcoverings.org