On checking the news, it can be found that within the US, there is a report of at least one case of window coverings becoming a danger to the children. There are also several deaths reported. The Window Covering Safety Council works along with US Consumer Product Safety Commission to spread information regarding the window blinds and safety concerns. Proper planning and attention can help to keep such incidents at bay.
Cord Cleats
Most people do not bother to use a cord cleat for the window blinds. But if you have children at home, then it is essential to keep the cords neatly tucked away so that the child does not come in the way of the cord intentionally or unintentionally. The cleats have to be placed well above the reach of the child. Children have an underlying tendency to reach up to hanging things and pull at them. There are rules set on the maximum possible length of the cords for blinds.
RetroFit Kit
Currently, several models come without the loose cables, and when you are planning to decorate your kid's room, you can specifically go for these. If in case you want to remove the cording from an old shade, you can go for the retrofit kit. There might be particular problems faced like an uneasy movement of the blinds, but you can consider that sacrifice for the sake of child's safety. The retrofit kits can be bought from the blinds store, free of cost. You can even order it for free from the Window Covering Safety Council website.
Safe placing of beds and Cribs
By the time the child learns to pull with the hands at objects, he/she might be able to get access to a hanging window cord, and you may never know when danger comes. Make sure to place the cribs away from the window. Even with the bedding of the older children, some kids might be curious enough to access the cords from above the bedding or they might ever get tangled in them accidentally during sleep.
Cord tensioner
Blinds with looped cords can be held in place with a cord tensioner and they usually come along with the kit. The kind of cord tensioner differs for the plain one and the beaded wire. These have an issue as they work best only when placed at a minimum distance from the top of the blind. So if you have some older and naughty children at home, this may not be the best option to ensure child safety from window blind accidents.
Safe Design Blinds
According to new rules and regulations set by the WCSC, there are several different kinds of blinds which are easily available in the market which does not have any hanging chords. They have hidden cords within it or are tensioned. These can be pulled into position. There are also motorized ones that work on the press of a button. The buttons are mostly operated by power from a battery, so there is no worry about connecting it to the main supply. Vertical blinds come with wands for operation. Spring design screens work by a tensioned spring mechanism and they can be locked into place with a manual lock system.
Chain Break Connector
It is a small device that can be attached to the chain, and the system works normally. In the event of an unexpectedly heavy load pull, the chain will break free. So in case a child gets restrained in the chains, the connector will break the chain and rid the child from danger.
With the several rules and regulations sent out for ensuring the safety of the children, manufacturers are taking diligent care to make sure that the children are safe from cord strangling accidents. It is also the responsibility of the parents to make sure that they have maintained all safety methods when they have kids at home.
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