If you’re shopping for a new window treatment for your Detroit home, you’re probably thinking about color schemes, energy efficiency, longevity and more. But another thing to think about is safety.
Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found specific window coverings to be some of the top potential dangers to children in homes across the country, having been to blame for a number of injuries and fatalities among infants and small children. To increase awareness and help families find solutions to make their windows and their homes safer, October has been designated National Window Covering Safety Month.
No matter if you’re looking for window treatments for kids’ rooms, or refreshing a space in which kids will visit from time to time, Sunburst Shutters Detroit will help ensure your home is as safe as possible.
How Can My Windows Be Hazardous?
The number one threat to kids in regards to window treatments in your house is dangling cords. Whether attached to blinds, shades, or a different window covering, dangling cords have caused hundreds of injuries and deaths to children over the last ten years from asphyxiation.
Window Treatment Cord Safety
If possible, exchange any corded window coverings in your house with cordless replacements. Shutters, cordless shades and cordless blinds are all great alternatives to corded window treatments, eliminating the most hazardous aspect of windows for the kids in your house.
Plantation shutters–more than any other window treatment–are a great choice for kids’ rooms, and not only because they aren’t even offered with cord options. Sunburst plantation shutters have been designated as a safe pick by window safety and family groups including Parents for Window Blind Safety.
Dangerous Window Covering Finishes
For solid window treatments, certain varieties of finishes, paints or stains may release fumes that may negatively affect young children. Polywood® and Ovation® plantation shutters give off no fumes from any finish or stain, and are totally safe for every area in your home.
Window Falls
Almost every parent knows that children are instinctive climbers, and the window is the last place you want your child to climb near. Fabric window treatments do almost nothing to protect a child from falling out a window, but plantation shutters can provide a solid, stout barrier that protects your child from encountering that danger.
The Little Things You Can Do For Safe Windows
Choosing the best window covering is the most critical choice you can make in improving home window safety, but there are things you can do to help:
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In kids’ bedrooms, keep the bed or crib away from the window. This decreases the chance of any accidents.
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Try not to have any climbable furniture or other objects near windows that may be dangerous.
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Double check that all window coverings are solidly affixed to the wall or window frame to prevent falling.
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If corded window treatments are absolutely necessary, make sure they’re pulled close to the ceiling and out of reach of any children. Cords can also be retrofitted for safety–check out how to do it with this easy guide.
Make Your House Safer And Smarter, Detroit
If you’ve got questions about the safety of your window treatments, we’re here to help. Call us at
248-429-9294 or use the form below to set up your free consultation, during which we can show you all your options to ensure that you rest easy in your home.