More than 160 children have died in the United States since 1991 by strangulation from window treatment cords, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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 head rail, making the shade difficult to keep straight along the bottom.
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 breakaway 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 continuous looping drapery cords anchored near the floor, to keep the cords taut. Only buy window 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 FREE cleats or breakaway safety tassels? We've already given away thousands, and we’d be happy to send you either two breakaway tassels or two cleats at no cost other than for postage.
Just mail us a stamped self-addressed envelope with a minimum of 43 cents postage if you’re in the United States. More if you’re outside the US. Write the word “tassel” or “cleat” on the return envelope (not on your envelope to us).
Mail to:
Blinds.net
FREE Safety Offer
4660 Beechnut
Houston, TX 77096
Jay Steinfeld
President of Blinds Network
