Child safety
Window covering cords are a strangulation hazard to young children. A loose cord or chain loop within reach can form a loop, and a small child can become entangled in one quickly and silently.
In any home where young children live or visit, specify a cordless or motorized product. It is the single most effective thing you can do, and it removes the hazard rather than managing it.
WARNING
Window Blind Cord Strangulation Risk
Window blinds with a damaged or loose tension device or retractable cord that fails to fully retract pose a strangulation risk to children. To avoid this potential strangulation risk, consider purchasing cordless products with inaccessible cords.
ADVERTENCIA
Riesgo de Estrangulamiento en Cuerdas de Persianas
Las persianas con un dispositivo tensor suelto o dañado o con una cuerda retráctable que no se ajusta completamente representan un riesgo de estrangulación para los niños. Para evitar un posible riesgo de estrangulamiento, considere comprar productos inalámbricos o productos con cuerdas inaccesibles.
ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022
Our controls, by cord exposure
Not every control carries the same risk. This is our range, described accurately rather than reassuringly.
- MotorizedNo operating cord
Nothing to pull. Battery in the headrail or wired power, operated by remote, app or a smart home system. The safest option in a home with young children.
- CordlessNo operating cord
Raised and lowered by hand at the bottom bar. No loop, no chain, nothing hanging.
- Clutch, chain loopChain present, tensioned
A continuous chain loop at the side of the shade. Ships with a tensioner that must be fastened to the wall or frame so the loop is held taut and cannot form a loose loop.
- Cord loop liftCord present, tensioned
A continuous cord loop, used on larger or taller shades where a chain would be impractical. Also ships with a tensioner that must be fastened.
If a corded product is specified
A tensioner is not optional. It is part of the product and it only works when it is actually fastened to the wall or window frame at installation. An unfastened tensioner leaves exactly the loose loop the design exists to prevent. If you are installing, fasten it. If you are specifying for someone else, say so in writing.
- Keep cords and chains out of reach of children at all times.
- Move cribs, beds, playpens and furniture a child can climb well away from windows.
- Check existing coverings in the home, not only the new ones. Older products are more likely to have accessible cords.
Standards
Corded window coverings in the United States are governed by ANSI/WCMA A100.1, published by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association, alongside rulemaking from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The current revision is A100.1-2022, which is the version cited on the warning above. The requirements have been revised more than once and continue to tighten, particularly for custom made-to-measure products.
For the current requirements, and for guidance on choosing coverings for a home with children, see the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Questions
If you are specifying for a nursery, a school, a childcare setting or any project where children are present and you want to talk it through, contact us at sales@forma.living or (602) 632-3220.