How to make your window coverings more child-friendly

Taking the proper safety precautions in the home takes a plan of action, and it’s a part of homeownership that is very crucial. Minimizing risks to all family members can be achieved with the right type of information.

This is a big reason why we want to share our own thoughts on child-proofing window treatments. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and we are happy to help anyone who wants to take these steps for a safer home.

The best types of coverings for safety

The main words to remember for maximum safety are “cordless” and “motorized.” Many shutter, shade, and blind options are cord-free or adaptable toward smart-home technology or motorization. Here’s a quick list of coverings that can work best for families. Note that the treatments below can be made to be fully compliant with current safety guidelines from the Window Covering Manufacturers Association:

• Cordless Cellular Shades
• Cordless Roller Shades
• Cordless Roman Shades
• Motorized Cellular Shades
• Motorized Roller Shades
• Motorized Roman Shades
• Shutters
• Panel Track with Wand Control
• Cordless Blinds with Wand Control

Important tips to remember



If you are in a home where the window coverings still have cords, there are some important steps you can take to make it as safe as possible. Here is what is suggested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Move any objects commonly used by children — beds, cribs, furniture, toys — away from windows with cords, and preferably move those to a completely different wall.

• Make sure that tasseled pull cords are as short as they can possibly go.
• Eliminate any dangling cords from window treatments so they are safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not allow long window covering pull cords to lie on the floor next to windows, especially in a room where children commonly have access.
• Adjust cord stops to the limit of inner lift cords.
• Anchor the continuous-looped cords you may have on curtains or vertical blinds to the floor or the wall.
• Switch tasseled cords to the more child-friendly breakaway variety.
• The Blindman has free breakaway conversion kits that you can use.
• Keep windows closed and locked when small children are in the room.

Ways we can help with safety in the home

At The Blindman, we have made twist-style wand tilters the default options for all our blinds. In addition, lift cords for blinds are limited to 40% of the height of the blind itself.

We can also handle any request for customized blinds for use by the elderly or disabled or for tall or hard-to-reach windows. We also work tirelessly to ensure our installers understand all safety guidelines before any blinds, shades, or shutters are placed in your home.

To find out all your options for your home’s window treatments, contact us via our website.