WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — October is National Window Covering Safety Month and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is urging parents and caregivers to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. WCSC, the window covering industry, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and safety advocates all recommend that only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords be used in homes with young children.

According to the CPSC, corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window cords. To increase public awareness of window-cord dangers, the WCSC and CPSC have again declared October as National Window Covering Safety Month.

“As a result of industry innovation, consumers have more choices than ever to purchase cordless products or those with inaccessible cords,” said Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) Executive Director, Peter Rush. “Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with the many cordless products available in different styles, colors and sizes.”

To aid parents and caregivers in making the right choice when selecting window coverings, cordless options can easily be identified by the Best for Kids™ certification program. In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must submit the products to a laboratory recognized by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association for review and analysis to determine if they meet the Best for Kids program criteria.

For products that pass the test, the lab sends a report to the company that these products may be labeled Best for Kids™. Best for Kids products are currently available at major retailers across the country.

To maximize window cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Install only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children.  Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords marked with the Best for Kids™ certification label.  The label enables you to easily identify products best suited for homes with young children.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• When window cords are present, ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, by shortening or tying them up and away, so that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitter for more home safety information and ideas.

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings dedicated to educating consumers about window cords safety. The Council also assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products and to support the national ANSI/WCMA standard for corded window coverings. WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity.

Contact: Kristen Kurtz
[email protected]
917.561.2406