Mini Blind Cord Safety is an important issue that should be addressed if you have babies or young children in the home. Thankfully, all blinds made after 2001 have safety features designed to reduce child injuries. However, if you have mini blinds made before 2001, you need to examine the blinds for potential hazards. If your blinds were made pre-2001, inspect your blinds for these possible hazards:
- Looped Pull Cords – Usually on horizontal blinds, pleated and cellular shades manufactured before 1995.
- No Cord Stops – also on horizontal blinds, pleated and cellular shades made before 2001.
- No Tie Downs – found on vertical blinds and traverse draperies made before 1997.
If you determine that the mini blinds are a potential hazard, you have 2 options: replace the blinds completely, or retrofit the blinds with replacement hardware. If your mini blinds are showing their age, I recommend completely replacing them with newer ones. Replacing the blinds will not only give your home a good-looking, contemporary look, you will also be using industry-approved child safe mini blinds. On the other hand, most mini blinds are very durable, and you may have some older ones in good condition that you love. In this case, your best option is to retrofit. If you decide to retrofit, free kits are available from the Window Covering Safety Council. Retrofitting is easy. It basically involved adding tassels, cord stops or permanent tie-downs to the blinds. These improvements will reduce the chances of entanglement. If you have any questions, contact the Window Covering Safety Council.
This is really important stuff and could save your childs life.
V Willis, Visit us at Linda’s Curtain Studio
