Only
buy blinds and shades that already have these safety features built-in.
If you already own some that do not, the simplest and quickest solution
is to use cord cleats. By Jay Steinfeld,
No Brainer Blinds and Shades
More than 140 children have died in the United States since 1981 by strangulation from window treatment cords, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It is easy to make today's window treatments safer for young children with just a few simple adjustments, to prevent these tragic accidents.
Cribs and furniture should not be placed near a window. Even if you have child guards on the windows, young children are tempted to investigate cords dangling from window treatments. Since young children climb, never put a chair or other object near a window with a dangling cord.
Keep all cords out of reach from small children and pets. Place the cords on hooks (called cleats) to keep the cords from being in harm's way. It is best not to wrap them around the cleat, as this causes the cords to twist. Twisting causes the cords to get caught in the headrail, making the shade hard to keep straight and to stop where you want it to.
Eliminate loops on two-corded horizontal blinds. Cut the cord above the end tassel (the item that looks like a small wooden or plastic thimble). Remove the equalizer buckle, then add new tassels for each cord-or replace it with a safety break-away tassel. The CPSC urges you NOT to retie the cords in a knot, as that will only recreate a new loop.
Eliminate cellular shade cord loops. Cut the cord and place separate tassels at the ends.
Keep continuos looping drapery cords anchored near the floor, to keep the cords taut.
Only
buy blinds and shades that already have these safety features built-in.
If you already own some that do not, the simplest and quickest solution
is to use cord cleats.
Want some FREE cleats or break-away safety tassels? If you mention this article, we will send you either 2 break-away tassels or 2 cleats at no cost. What a deal! Just call, write, or e-mail. Please furnish your snail mail address. One request per household, please!
Jay Steinfeld is the founder and president of No Brainer Blinds and Shades, the leading on-line source for blinds and shades. It's where buying blinds and shades REALLY IS a no-brainer. No Brainer's site is located at http://www.nobrainerblinds.com. His e-mail address is jay@nobrainerblinds.com