Manufacturers are Becoming Safer With Their Window Treatments

As of December 2018, all newly manufactured stock window treatments should be cordless or have compact, inaccessible pull cords. Sunburst applauds the announcement, as it comes after discussions between the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, and covers any pre-manufactured window treatments. And while the new safety regulations don’t recall old corded treatments, some people in New York have viewed the statement as a reason to change their corded window treatments.

 

Why The New Window Treatment Safety Standards?

Since the 1960s, corded window treatments have been included in the Top 5 Hidden Hazards In The Home by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Young children and infants can get tangled up in the cords, resulting in injury or strangulation, with a study finding that there were almost 17,000 window cord injuries over a fifteen-year period. Independent cord safety products, such as cord cleats and wind-ups, tried to alleviate the hazard, but families did not use them as much as anticipated.

What Do The New Regulations Cover?

Every stock (ready-made) window covering sold in stores or online should now be cord-free or have inaccessible cords. This involves over 80% of all window treatment products purchased in America and Canada. Custom-made window treatments don’t have the same constraints; however, cords can only hang down to 40% the length of the treatment and should default to a tilt rod instead of a tilt cord. These standards affect window coverings constructed after December 19, 2018, and previously made treatments have not been recalled.

What Are Your Choices Regarding Cordless Window Treatments?

With the new regulations, people are now looking at the entire range of cord-free choices when purchasing or replacing their blinds and shades. Luckily, there are many choices that have no cords, such as:

• Plantation Shutters: These popular treatments cover the window with thick louvers and usually utilize a center tilt-rod. Shutters are the sturdiest window covering option and are constructed with either solid wood or a faux wood composite that doesn’t warp, crack, splinter, or chip. Plantation shutters have never used a cord, so shutters have always been seen as a safer option.

• Barn Door Window Coverings: Instead of opening up using a cord or tilt rod, barn door shutters attach to a track over the window and slide horizontally. You can part the panels a little to let light through, or open them completely apart to frame your window.

• Cord-free Shades and Blinds: Some corded window treatments have altered their mechanics and now use inaccessible cords that don’t hang loose. Others employ motors, which manipulate treatments without touching the treatment. Many shades open and close to their desired height by operating the bottom bar. These treatments are available in different colors, textures, and patterns, and has a variety of semi-translucent options that offer the same ambiance of sheer draperies.
  

Call Sunburst To Help You Cut The Cord On Your Window Coverings

If you need to replace your corded window treatments with a more child-friendly treatment, your New York Sunburst representative can help. We can bring you many safe window treatments, and we can assist you in finding one for your family. Schedule your free in-home consultation by calling 631-246-3930 now.