Manufacturers are Becoming Safer With Their Window Treatments

As of December 2018, all newly manufactured stock window treatments should be cordless or have compact, inaccessible pull cords. Sunburst applauds the announcement, as it comes after negotiations between the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, and includes any pre-manufactured window treatments. It should be noted that these regulations don’t recall used treatments, but, many in Charlotte have used the statement as a reason to replace their old window treatments.

 

Why The New Window Treatment Safety Standards?

For over 70 years, corded 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 tangled up in the cords, resulting in injury or strangulation, with one report finding that there were almost 17,000 window cord injuries during a fifteen-year period. Independent cord safety products, such as cord shorteners and fasteners, attempted to alleviate the hazard, but people did not utilize them as manufacturers expected.

What Do The New Regulations Cover?

Every stock (ready-made) window covering available in stores or online needs to now be cord-free or have inaccessible cords. This includes over 80% of all window treatment products purchased in America and Canada. Custom-built treatments do not have the same requirements; however, cords can only be 40% the length of the treatment and will default to a tilt rod instead of a tilt cord. These regulations are only on window treatments manufactured after December 19, 2018, and old treatments have not been recalled.

What Are Your Choices Regarding Cordless Window Treatments?

With the new regulations, consumers are now seeking different cordless choices when buying or replacing their window treatments. Here are just a few window treatments that don’t use cords:

• Plantation Shutters: These popular treatments cover the window with thick louvers and usually employ a center tilt-rod. Plantation Shutters are the sturdiest window covering option and are manufactured with either real wood or a faux wood composite that doesn’t warp, crack, splinter, or chip. There has never been a cord on plantation shutter, so this product has always been seen as a safer option.

• Barn Door Shutters: Instead of raising up and down with a cord or tilt rod, barn door shutters attach to a track above the window frame and slide side to side. You can part the panels a little to bring in some light, or open them completely apart for a different look.

• Cord-free Shades and Blinds: Some window treatments have changed their mechanics so they can use inaccessible cords that don’t hang loose. Other treatments employ motors, which manipulate treatments without touching the treatment. Some shades are set to their desired height by operating the bottom bar. These coverings come in different colors, textures, and patterns, and has several semi-translucent models that give you the feel of sheer draperies.
  

Sunburst Can Help You Cut The Cord On Your Shades and Blinds

If you want to replace your corded hazards with a safer choice, your Charlotte Sunburst representative is here to help. We have many cordless choices, and we can help you find one that works best for your rooms. Book your free in-home consultation by calling 980-231-1116 now.