When choosing new window treatments for your Cleveland house, you’re likely considering color schemes, energy efficiency, durability and more. But another thing to keep in mind is safety.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently found specific window treatments to be some of the top hazards to children in homes across the country, having caused a number of injuries and fatalities among young children. To increase awareness and help families find solutions to make their windows and their homes safer, October has been designated National Window Covering Safety Month.
No matter if you’re choosing window coverings for kids’ rooms, or refreshing a home in which kids may visit from time to time, Sunburst Shutters Cleveland is here to help ensure your house is as safe as possible.
How Could My Windows Be Hazardous?
The number one threat to kids when it comes to window treatments in your home is dangling cords. Whether a part of shades, blinds, or a different window covering, dangling cords have caused hundreds of injuries and deaths to infants and young children over the last ten years from strangulation.
Window Treatment Cord Safety
If possible, replace any corded window treatments in your home with non-corded versions. Cordless blinds, shutters, and cordless shades are all fantastic alternatives to corded window coverings, eliminating the most hazardous element of windows for the kids in your house.
Plantation shutters–more than any other window treatment–are a standout choice for children’s bedrooms, and not just because they’re not offered with cords. Sunburst plantation shutters have been recognized as a top safety pick by window safety and family organizations including Parents for Window Blind Safety.
Dangerous Window Covering Finishes
For solid window treatments, some kinds of paints, stains or finishes may emit fumes that may negatively affect young children. Polywood® and Ovation® plantation shutters emit no fumes at all, and are 100% safe for every room in your house.
Falling Through Windows
As every parent knows, kids are instinctive climbers, and the window is the last place you want your child to climb to. Fabric window treatments do practically nothing to protect a child from stumbling through a window, but plantation shutters can provide a solid, sturdy barrier that keeps your child from encountering that danger.
What You Can Do For Safe Windows
Selecting the best window treatment is the most important choice you can make in improving home window safety, but there are some more small things you can do as well:
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In children’s bedrooms, make sure the crib or bed is kept away from the window. The distance helps decrease likelihood of any accidents.
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Try not to have any furniture that can be easily scaled near windows that may be dangerous.
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Ensure that all window coverings are solidly secured to the window frame or wall to prevent accidents.
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If cords are absolutely necessary, have them pulled close to the ceiling and out of reach of any children. An additional way to keep cords out of reach is to retrofit them with this easy guide.
Start Designing Safer And Smarter, Cleveland
If you’ve got questions about window treatment safety, we’re more than happy to help. Call us at
440-561-6787 or fill out the form below to set up your free consultation, where we can show you all your options to ensure that you rest easy in your home.