Rotary phones with cords and typewriters are virtually objects from the past. And now, so are corded blinds.
If this comes as a surprise, know that every month, corded window blinds take the life of one child. Furthermore, these blinds were the cause of 16,827 ER visits for children younger than six from 1990 to 2015. In total, over 250 children have died in tragic entanglement accidents, according to a study in Pediatrics. Knowing this, child safety advocates pushed for a ban on corded window blinds for years.
At the end of 2018, they succeeded: Now, all blinds sold in stores must be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords, according to a new window covering safety standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Chances are, you have the basics of home safety covered: You wipe up spills to avoid falls, regularly check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and keep hazardous chemicals and cleaners far from your kids and pets. But one safety hazard might be hiding in plain sight: the cords hanging from your window blinds.
As the premier provider of window treatments to the Wilmington community for over 70 years, we at Strickland’s Home, we believe it’s important to spread this news to our neighbors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges anyone who has a home where children live or may visit to upgrade their window treatments now.
Whether you’ve had your blinds for years or you’re about to sell your home, new cordless blinds can help make your home safer for children, elderly visitors, and your fur babies, too. Better yet, cordless blinds are more high-tech and user-friendly, with motorized and remote-controlled options available as well.
These days, there are endless cost-effective solutions for cordless window blinds, including classic aluminum blinds (perfect for your home office), humidity-friendly faux wood blinds (a smart choice for the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom), eco-friendly wood blinds, and motorized Hunter Douglas Pirouette® and Silhouette® Window Shadings.
At Strickland’s, we’ll help you choose the right window treatments for your home, no cords attached. Ready to upgrade your window treatments? Contact us to schedule a free at-home consultation or visit our showroom to see our products in person.