Window blind and shade cords can quickly become a hazard to children ages 8 and under. The types of hazardous cords to look for include continuous cord loops and chains, pull cords with tassels sometimes labeled ‘safe’, cord connectors, tilt cords that allow light in, inner cords on routeless and older blinds, and any other cords longer than 12 inches when pulled. In 2023 the Window Covering Manufactures published a safety standard that removed all cords from horizontal blinds both custom and stock. See below if these expired cords are in your home.
Continuous Beaded Looped Cords.
Hazardous Continuous beaded looped cords are made up of metal or plastic beads that look a lot like a necklace. These beaded cords have been involved in hundreds of accidents. Many accidents involved the use of tie-down or tension devices that pulled away from the wall after use. These hazardous cords were removed from stock products by the manufacturers but remain on custom products.
Continuous Looped Cord
Continuous Looped cords are made up of cord material and are typically found on drapery, Roman shades, roll-up shades, cellular shades, and some older window blinds. Newer manufactured products come with faulty tension devices that fail to outlast the life of the product leaving deadly loops children can strangle on. Parents and caregivers are unaware of these hidden hazards because they believe their product is safe.
Pull Cords
According to CPSC Data, Pull Cords with tassels are hazardous because even when cut short, they become long enough to strangle a child when the product is pulled open. Pull cords with tassels can be found on any custom window covering product and millions of older stock products manufactured prior to 2018. In 2024, manufactures will be removing these deadly cords from custom products. Hundreds of children have been injured and killed on pull cords even when parents tied them up high or used cleats.
Tilt Cords
Tilt Cords, shown on the left, replaced the wand that opened and closed the slats on window blinds. Many reports of children being strangled by these cords began in the mid-2000s. Some caregivers installed cleats on both sides of the product, however, CPSC data shows children over the age of two can gain access to cords in cleats and strangle on them.
Inner Cords
Inner cords on window covering products are the most hidden hazard. They are found on expired products manufactured before 2018 and some newly custom products manufactured today. Take a look at the photos to the left to see if these expired or hazardous products are in your home. Never place a bed or a crib near the window. Children can still gain access to loose inner cords, especially near the bottom of the shades.
Cord Joiners
A cord joiner joins cords together by way of a plastic bead or a wooden bead. Sometimes the beads have a breakaway on them. CPSC data shows breakaway beads have failed, killing and injuring children.