Manufacturers are Becoming Safer With Their Window Treatments

As of December 2018, all newly manufactured stock window coverings should not use cords or have compact, inaccessible pull cords. Sunburst welcomes the announcement, as it comes after discussions between the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, and encompasses any pre-manufactured window coverings. It should be noted that these regulations don’t recall already purchased window treatments, but, many in Raleigh have seen the regulations as an opportunity to change to cordless window treatments.

 

Why The New Window Treatment Safety Standards?

In the past few decades, cords on window treatments have been deemed one of the Top 5 Hidden Hazards In The Home by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children and infants can get intertwined in the cords, leading to injury or strangulation, with a study finding that there were almost 17,000 window cord injuries over a fifteen-year period. Extra cord safety products, like cord wraps and locks, attempted to solve the problem, but people did not install them as much as anticipated.

What Do The New Regulations Cover?

Each stock (ready-made) window treatment made for stores or online should now be cord-free or have inaccessible cords. This accounts for over 80% of all window treatment products purchased in the United States 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 must default to a tilt rod instead of a tilt cord. These requirements are only on window coverings manufactured after December 19, 2018, and current treatments have not been recalled.

What Are Your Choices Regarding Cordless Window Treatments?

With the new standards, consumers are now pursuing different cord-free options when acquiring or replacing their blinds and shades. Luckily, there are a lot of choices that have no cords, such as:

• Plantation Shutters: These fashionable window treatments cover the window with thick louvers and usually utilize a center tilt-rod. Shutters are the most durable window covering option and are constructed with either real wood or a faux wood composite that doesn’t warp, crack, splinter, or chip. Plantation shutters have never employed a cord, so shutters have always been known for safety.

• Barn Door Window Treatments: Instead of raising up and down via a cord or tilt rod, barn door shutters attach to a track over the window frame and slide side to side. You can part the panels a bit to bring in some light, or slide them all the way apart for a different look.

• Cord-free Shades and Blinds: Some window treatments have altered their mechanics so they can use internal cords that won’t dangle down. Other treatments use motors, which manipulate treatments without touching the treatment. Some shades are set to their needed position by lifting the bottom bar. These coverings are available in a multitude of colors, textures, and patterns, and has many semi-translucent options that can look like of sheer draperies.
  

Let Sunburst Help You Cut The Cord On Your Window Coverings

If you need to replace your corded shades and blinds with a safer treatment, your Raleigh Sunburst representative can help. We have many cord-free options, and we can help you find one that works best for your rooms. Book your free in-home consultation by calling 919-887-9198 today.