Do you have blinds with hanging cords in your home? They might look nice and work well, but did you know that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has said corded window coverings are one of the top hidden dangers to children?
If you have young children in your home, look at this: In July 2023, a two-year-old in Green Bay, Wisconsin, died after getting caught in the cord of a bedroom blind.
And it's not just kids. Playful pets can get tangled in cords, and older people can have trouble with them, too.
So more and more families are now making the switch to a safer choice: cordless window treatments.
Why Corded Blinds Are a Serious Danger
A simple cord can be a silent threat that can lead to tragedy in seconds. The CPSC reports that each year in the U.S., about nine children under age five die from choking on window cords.
It happens silently and very fast. Here's how a cord can become dangerous:
- They can wrap around a child's neck. A curious toddler might play with a long pull cord and wrap it around their neck without knowing the danger.
- They can form hidden loops. You might tie the cords up high, but a child can climb on a crib, sofa, or chair to reach them. This can create a dangerous loop that a child's head can slip into.
- They work silently and quickly. A child can become tangled in less than a minute. It happens so fast and quietly that you might not notice, even if you are in the same room.
So these dangers are very real. Safety experts and doctors agree: the only truly safe window coverings for homes with young children are the ones that have no cords at all.
A New Standard of Safety for Your Home
Because of the clear risks, the window covering industry has made a big change to protect children. A new safety rule, ANSI/WCMA A100.1, is now the standard. This rule says that most new window treatments sold in the U.S. must be cordless or have cords that children cannot reach.
This change makes it much easier for you to shop with confidence. A safe design is now the standard design. When you buy window coverings that follow this rule, you know they were made to keep your child safe. Here's why they work:
- They have no cords you can reach. You lift and lower true cordless shades by hand. This completely removes the risk of your child getting tangled.
- Cords are locked away. On some shades made for large windows, any cord loop must be attached tightly to the wall with a tension device. This keeps the cord from forming a dangerous loop.
Manual vs. Motorized: What's Right for Your Family?
Choosing to go cordless is the most important step you can take. Now, you can choose how you want your new, safe shades to work. Both manual and motorized systems completely remove the danger of cords, so you can't go wrong. Your choice simply depends on your daily routine and budget.
Manual Cordless Shades are safe and beautifully simple. You use them with a gentle push or pull on the bottom rail. There are no extra parts for a child to get curious about. They are safe by design, reliable, and a great, budget-friendly choice for most windows.
Motorized Shades offer the highest level of safety and ease. You control them with a remote or an app, so there is no need to touch the shade itself. This is perfect for a nursery, where you can lower the blackout shades for nap time without going near the crib and waking your baby.
Here is a simple table to help you compare:
| Manual Cordless Shades | Motorized Shades | |
| Child Safety | Excellent. Simple, cord-free design. | Excellent. No cords and can be used from far away. |
| How You Use It | You push or pull the shade by hand. | You use a remote, an app, or your voice. |
| Good For | Everyday use in most rooms. | Windows that are high up or hard to reach. |
| Cost | Costs less to buy. | Costs more to buy. |
You Can Have Both Style and Safety
You do not have to give up on a beautiful home to make it safe. Actually, upgrading to cordless window treatments is a great chance to refresh your decor. You can find a style you love and get total peace of mind at the same time.
At Joydeco, we help you find beautiful window treatments that are also safe and practical. For over 30 years, we have focused on making high-quality, custom products you can afford. Our cordless and motorized options mean you never have to give up safety or style.
You can find a style that fits your home perfectly:
- Cordless Roman Shades: These shades have soft, nice folds that make any room feel warm and cozy. You can pick from many rich fabrics to create a look you love.
- Cordless Cellular Window Shades: These cellular shades have a special honeycomb shape that traps air. This helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and this can help you save on energy bills.
- Kids Blackout Curtains and Shades: You need a dark room for great sleep, especially in a nursery. Our cordless blackout shades fit perfectly inside your window frame. They block light much better than regular curtains and have no dangerous cords.
Where to Start? Your Step-by-Step Safety Plan
Making this important upgrade is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps to make your home safer for your children and pets.
Step 1: Start with These Rooms First
Look at the rooms where your children and pets spend the most time.
- The most important rooms are nurseries, kids' bedrooms, and playrooms. You should replace any corded blinds here right away.
- Next, check the living room, family room, and any other spaces where your family gathers or your pets like to nap by the window.
Step 2: Plan Your Upgrade
Once you know which windows to work on, you can get ready.
- Measure your windows. We provide simple guides to help you measure correctly, so your custom shades will fit perfectly.
- Think about what you need. Does your child's bedroom need kids blackout curtains? Do you want the beautiful look of cordless Roman shades in your living room?
Step 3: Choose Your New Shades
Now you are ready to pick your safe, new window treatments. When you choose a custom solution, you get a perfect fit for every window, no matter the shape or size.
More Window Safety Tips for Your Child
Making the cords safe is the most important step, but you can make the entire window area even safer for your child. Here are a few more things to check:
- Move Furniture Away from Windows. Your child can use a crib, dresser, or toy box as a ladder to reach the window. Keep any furniture they can climb away from windows to prevent falls.
- Make Your Windows Safe. Cordless shades remove the tangling risk, but an open window is still a fall danger. You should install window guards or locks that stop the window from opening more than four inches.
- Check Your Curtain Rods. Make sure your curtain rods are attached securely to the wall with screws. A simple tension rod may not be strong enough to hold up if a child pulls on a heavy curtain.
Enjoy the Peace of Mind You Deserve
Nothing is more important than knowing your children are safe in their own home. Switching to cordless window treatments is a simple and necessary way to protect your family. You have the power to remove this risk from your home for good, and you don't have to choose between a safe home and a stylish one.
Ready to create a safer home? Look at the beautiful collection of custom cordless and motorized shades at Joydeco and find the perfect, high-quality solution for your family today.
