Child Safety and Faux Wood Blinds

While faux woods blinds are a great choice for consumers looking for the warmth of wood and the durability of vinyl, all at a reasonable price, consumers have to keep child and pet safety in mind when using any cord lift blinds. Dangling cords are a strangulation and tripping hazard, particularly to young children and pets. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 200 children have died in the U.S. from strangulation from window treatment cords since 1981. With just a few simple adjustments, you can make your blinds safer. The best way to get those long cords out of a child's or pet's reach is by wrappings the cords around hooks (also called cleats).

Today's faux wood blinds are built with safety in mind, but the manufacturers aren't sacrificing fashion in the process. If you order faux wood blinds with child safe tassels, the tassels will be made of wood, matching the blinds. For all blinds, consider taking these quick and easy steps to make your home safe:

• Move all cribs and furniture away from windows
• Replace window blinds bought before 2001 with today's safer products
• Use safety wands or tassels instead of looped or knotted cords
• Make sure tassel pull cords are short and out of the reach of children
• Loop long cords around cleats, out of the reach of children
• Retrofit blinds bought before 2001 with a free retrofit kit from Window Covering Safety Council's website or call 1-800-506-4636

Additional Links on Child Safety and Window Blinds

• Window Covering Safety Council
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• National Safe Kids Campaign
• The National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP)