Child-Safe Window – Treatment Control Options
From our GUEST BLOGGER
This past December, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling themselves with window blind and shade cords. A nationwide recall of about 50 million units was ordered and the Window Covering Safety Council is urging those with small children to “go cordless” with their window treatments. Luckily, the window treatment industry offers a number of control options that do not require these long and dangerous cords.
The first option is going electric. Many window blinds and shades can be motorized now, completely eliminating the need for cords. With motorized window treatments you have the option of a remote control or a wall mounted switch. You can also choose whether you want the treatment to be battery-powered or plugged into the wall. For child safety purposes, it may be best to have a battery-powered motor mounted in the head-rail as a cord plugged into the wall may draw your child’s attention to the power outlet. The electric option is, however, the most expensive and may be out of your budget’s range.
Using a pole to open and close your window treatments is an alternative option that is significantly cheaper than motorizing them. The hook on the end of the pole fits into a small hole on the handle that pushes the treatment up and down. Most likely, you will still need to pay a little extra to have this option added, but not nearly as much as the cost of motorization. Almost all styles of custom ordered shades and blinds are able to have this option added.
If you’re looking for an option that will cost you the absolute least amount of money, you can always just go with window treatments that do not require cords. This may limit your options as far as style goes, but it will give you peace of mind about your child’s safety and not cost you an arm and a leg in the process. A basic curtain or drape will work for this as they can just be opened and closed by hand. It is also possible to find blinds and shades that do not require cords; you just have to do some searching. The bottom line is if you have small children in your house, it is imperative that you go cordless with your window coverings.
Richard Moyle
Horizon Window Treatments
http://www.horizonyc.com
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Date: February 15, 2010
