Window covering cords can potentially pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Check your vacation rental and secure any dangling or loose cords so they are not accessible to young children. If possible, call the landlord or rental agent prior to your trip and request that all corded window coverings be checked for safety, and replaced or retrofitted if necessary. Homeowners, landlords and renters can order free retrofit kits for older corded window coverings on the WCSC website, or by calling WCSC’s toll-free number at 1-800-506-4636.

Parents, family members and caregivers should try to protect children from unintentional household injuries and accidents by taking these preventative measures on the road to keep kids safe, healthy and happy while vacationing:

• Pack plug protectors for unused wall outlets.
• Inspect the house for and dispose of medications that may have been left by the previous occupants, and secure household chemicals in cabinets with child locks.
• Move all furniture, cribs, beds and climbable items away from windows.
• Whenever possible, open windows from the top – instead of the bottom.
• Be sure rental cribs are in good repair and meet current safety requirements.

Families can visit WCSC on Facebook and Twitter for more helpful safety tips. To learn additional information about window covering safety, visit WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

This is especially important with older window coverings that may not meet the latest national standard for window cord safety.   If at all possible, use only non-corded window coverings in homes where infants and young children are present.

If you have corded window coverings and can’t replace them with today’s safer products, check them for the following hazards and order our free retrofit kits as needed.

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

  

• Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children. Eliminate any dangling cords.
• Make sure that tasseled pull cords are as short as possible.
• Check that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords.
• Continuous-loop cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be permanently anchored to the floor or wall.

Learn how to retrofit older window coverings by clicking here.

Better Yet…  replace older corded window blinds, shades and draperies with today’s safer products.  And use only non-corded window coverings in homes with infants and young children.

Groups of young children can cover a lot of ground while their parents are busy hosting and enjoying company, so be sure to take these safety measures into account to ensure no harm comes to your loved ones.

• Check window coverings such as blinds, drapes and shades to ensure that they do not have window cords that may pose a potential danger to children. WCSC urges parents to only use cordless window products in homes with young children.

• Keep barbeque equipment such as propane tanks, cooking utensils and grills away from children’s play areas, and out of their reach.

• Any play or swing sets that children may be using should be checked for proper installation, and be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions and guidelines for safety.

• Clear the yard of any dangerous hazards such as bee hives or broken branches that a young curious child could hurt themselves on.

• If children are playing inside, make sure stairwells are closed off and inaccessible to young children, so they do not hurt themselves running down them.

To learn more about window covering safety, visit WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org. Free retrofit kits for older corded window coverings can be ordered on the website or by calling WCSC’s toll-free number at 1-800-506-4636.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) wants to remind parents that children are especially vulnerable during a move and is offering life saving tips to keep children safe. When moving into a new or pre-owned home there can be new or existing dangers, and preoccupied parents need to be especially vigilant with small children. For example,

• Loose bottle caps of medications and household chemicals.
• Furniture and boxes stacked high around the home.
• Windows without screen guards.
• Window coverings and drapes with hanging cords.

Window covering cords can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers. WCSC urges parents and caregivers to check their window coverings to make sure there are no dangling cords, and if there are to replace them with today’s safer products or order retrofits kits.

To protect children from the potential hazards that often arise during a move and the few days following, parents are reminded to:

• Keep children offsite and with family or a babysitter during the actual move day
• Do not leave furniture, boxes, beds and climbable surfaces by windows and stairs, or left perilously stacked
• Check all window coverings to see if they have dangerous cords
• Make sure tasseled pull cords are as short as possible. Continuous-loop pull cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be pulled tight and anchored to the floor or wall.
• Be sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit inner-cord movement.
• Install window guards to prevent children from falling and accidents.

To learn more about window covering safety, visit the WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org. Free retrofit kits for older corded window coverings can be ordered on the website or by phoning the WCSC’s toll-free number at 1-800-506-4636

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

While some safety measures are routine, there are some potential dangers that you may be overlooking that can be dangerous for young children. You can help prevent unintentional household injuries by taking these simple measures to reduce danger in your home:

• Always keep cribs and other low-standing furniture away from windows.
• Secure all bookcases, shelving and heavy furniture.  Place heavier items on lower shelves and in bottom drawers.
• Many houseplants are poisonous, and pots are heavy, so keep them out of reach of little hands.
• Keep children away from areas you are cleaning and open windows to ventilate the room.
• Safely store house cleaners, detergents and poisons out of reach of children.
• Replace older window coverings with today’s safer, cordless products. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is urging parents to only use cordless window products in homes with young children. Make the right choice and use cordless products to keep your children safe year-round.

To learn more about window-cord safety, or to order free retrofit kits, go to the Window Covering Safety Council’s web site at www.windowcoverings.org, or phone toll-free at 1-800-506-4636.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) wishes you a very Happy Valentine’s Day and would like to provide a few tips to help parents practice window cord safety and continue to keep their little loved ones safe.

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.  Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today’s safer products.
• Move  all cribs, beds, chairs, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• Make sure cribs are properly assembled and meet current safety standards, and that crib mattresses fit snugly.
• Remove crib toys with cords, strings and ties, which can present a strangulation hazard.
• 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.
• Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.
• Support heavy furniture by using wall-angle brackets or anchors to make sure they are secure.
• Set up blockades around fireplaces, ovens, heaters and stairs.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children dying each year from accidentally strangling in window cords.

To maximize window-cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Move all furniture, cribs, beds and climbable surfaces away from windows.
• Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children.
• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.
• Make sure tasseled pull cords are as short as possible. Continuous-loop pull cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be pulled tight and anchored to the floor or wall.
• Be sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit inner-cord movement.

To learn more about window-cord safety, or to order free retrofit kits, go to the Window Covering Safety Council’s web site at www.windowcoverings.org, or phone toll-free at 1-800-506-4636.

*The Caravan® study has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings dedicated to educating consumers about window cord safety The Council also assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity.

As we embark on a new year, here are a few simple tips that will help keep your loved ones safe around the house, now and throughout the year ahead:

• Place space heaters, candles and other heat sources at least three feet away from a

potentially flammable material such as bedding, furniture and drapes.

• Keep hot liquids and foods out of the reach of children.

• Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.

• Do not burn gift wrap, paper decorations or dry greenery in the fireplace. They could ignite

suddenly, resulting in a flash fire.

• Move all furniture, cribs, beds & climbable surfaces away from windows.

• Replace older window coverings with today’s safer, cordless products. The Window

Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is urging parents to only use cordless window products in homes with young children. Make the right choice and use cordless products to keep your children safe year-round.  Consumers wishing to obtain additional information on window cord safety or order free retrofit kits can contact WCSC at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children dying each year from accidentally strangling in window cords. Some of these incidents involve older products that are still in use but don’t have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade.

Consumers are urged to follow some of these key safety tips for the holiday season:

• Place your tree or menorah away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters.
• Select toys to suit the age of the intended child. Do not give an infant a toy with small pieces that can be swallowed or inhaled.

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies with today’s safer products.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, to a windowless wall

• When cooking or baking, be sure to keep hot foods and liquids out of the reach of children.

• 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.

Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

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 The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. The Council assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for the safety of corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity. Consumers wishing to retrofit rather than replace their older window coverings can order free retrofit devices through WCSC’s website at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

“U.S. safety standards are already the most stringent in the world, and the new standard goes even further in minimizing potential risk,” said WCMA Executive Ralph Vasami.   We thank all the stakeholders involved in updating the standard, including representatives of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as representatives from consumer groups and all facets of the window covering industry for all the hard work and effort that went into updating the standard.”

The update to the standard was developed in strict accordance with the ANSI essential requirements, which mandate an open and balanced process with public review opportunities.  The year-long process required assembling a consensus body (the canvass group), submitting the draft standard to the canvass group for ballot and comment, addressing the comments received, re-balloting, a public review period and then finally achieving approval of the standard.

The updates included in the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2012 standard provides multiple options for achieving compliance without mandating any particular technology or solution.  The updates include the following changes that strengthen the industry’s safety standard:

• Adds requirements for durability and performance testing of the tension/hold down devices, including new requirements for anchoring, specific installation instructions and warnings.
• Provides a way to address new innovations for controlling cords that do not use tension devices.
• Adds new requirements for products that rely on “wide lift bands” to raise and lower window coverings.
• Requires a warning label and pictograms on the outside of stock packaging and merchandising materials for corded products.
• Adds and expands testing requirements for cord accessibility, hazardous loop testing, Roll Up style shade performance, and durability testing of all safety devices.

“The window covering industry is committed to the ongoing innovation and improvement of our products to make them as safe as possible,” Vasami said.  “In addition to the new standard, the WCMA and its member companies continue to work with the CPSC and others to implement a year-around national public education and information program to educate consumers about the safe use of window covering products.  This includes National Window Covering Safety month, jointly implemented by the Window Covering Safety Council and the CPSC, designed to raise awareness of safety issues.  The Council also distributes hundreds of thousands of free kits to retrofit older window covering products.”

“While no standard can eliminate all possible risk, we pledge to constantly reexamine these standards to ensure that our products are on the leading edge of safety and quality,” said Vasami.  “The WCMA invites all stakeholders to join us in helping improve window covering safety in the United States.  A majority of injuries involving window coverings are occurring on older products that don’t meet current standards, which is why we invite all stakeholders to join us in implementing a a multi-pronged approach to improve safety: 1) improved standards specifications, 2) consumer education and information, and 3) repair kits to retrofit older and recalled products,” Vasami concluded.

To learn more in detail about the updated standard on window-covering safety, please visit www.wcmanet.org.

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 About WCMA

Organized in the 1950s as the Venetian Blind Council, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) represents the interests of the window covering industry manufacturers, fabricators and assemblers. Industry products include blinds, shades, shutters, curtains, curtain rods, drapes, drapery hardware and other window treatments. Visit us on the web at www.wcmanet.org.