By John Harrison, Hunter Douglas Master Installer/Residential Motorization Specialist

Too many tragic children’s injuries and deaths have occurred due to window blind cords. Fortunately, we can do a lot to help prevent the next accident. In spirit of October’s National Window Covering Safety Month, we want to urge all parents and caregivers to join us in prepping every home in La Jolla and across San Diego to be completely child-proof when it comes to window blind safety.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, hundreds of children are injured from window blind cords each year, and a small percentage of these injuries lead to death. And nearly once a month, a child between 7 months and 10 years old dies from window cord strangulation according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fortunately, motorization and window covering replacements can ensure these types of accidents do not occur in your home.

Here’s what you can do today to keep your home safe and secure. Let’s work together to stop the next window cord-related injury or death.

4 TIPS TO PREVENT WINDOW CORD-RELATED ACCIDENTS

Every parent strives to keep their child safe at home and away – but when it comes to household accidents, parents can often underestimate the dangers associated with window blinds. Check your home and keep your little ones out of harm’s way with these 5 essential tips.

1. MOTORIZE YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS

One of the best ways to prevent children’s accidents due to cord strangulation is to completely eliminate any chance of injury. That’s why

motorizing your window treatments

is by far the best and most proactive way to protect your home against dangers presented by window blinds. It goes without saying that motorized window coverings are also highly convenient and easy to maintain, making this a household staple – especially any house with children.

2. GO CORDLESS

If motorization is not an option, you should replace your window blinds to cordless options. Any window covering manufactured before 2001 should be replaced with newer models that include the latest child safety features.

Palm Beach Polysatin shutters

by Hunter Douglas are an attractive and safe choice because they don’t use traditional cords. Instead, manual movement adjusts the screens accordingly, eliminating any chance for injury.

3. MOVE ALL CRIBS, BEDS AND FURNITURE AWAY FROM WINDOWS

Children are swift. They can climb furniture quickly and surprisingly – and in just a few minutes, they can manage to get themselves in harm’s way. Make sure to move all pieces of furniture away from windows to avoid an accident. Even if you go with motorized or cordless shades, your child is still at risk to fall if they are able to climb onto surrounding furniture. In fact, falling is the number one cause for all children’s injury between the ages 1 to 14 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. SECURE WINDOW CORDS

Until you are able to replace your window coverings with motorized and/or cordless options, it’s essential that cords be restrained. Use a cord cleat to bundle pull cords and make sure that continuous loop cords are properly anchored.

For more information on window cord safety,

click here

1. To inquire on motorizing your home window coverings or to go cordless, visit us at

https://www.arrowheadfwc.com/

or call us at (858) 480-5178 for a free quote.