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As a parent, you are likely hyper-aware of the various safety risks that your children can encounter out and about in the world. However, there are also aspects of your home decor that can present risks to your children. This includes the window coverings that you choose. If you have small children, opting for child-safe window coverings is one way that you can help to prevent avoidable accidents in the home. 

Fortunately, prioritizing safety does not mean having to compromise on style. Here at Window Trends, we offer a wide range of customizable, stylish, and child-safe window treatments designed with families in mind. With 40 years of expertise across New Jersey and the tri-state area, you can trust us to help you choose the perfect window treatments that are both stylish and safe. 

In this post, we will share some of the risks to children associated with certain window treatments and show you how to keep your children safe while keeping your home stylish. 

Go Cordless for Maximum Safety

Corded window coverings are a popular and convenient choice. However, they can also present serious dangers to young children, in particular the risk of strangulation. 

According to NBC News, at least 440 children aged 8 or younger have died by strangulation due to window cords since the 1970s. And according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly half of incidents involving children and corded window coverings resulted in death. Children who survived suffered injuries ranging from scarring around the neck up to quadriplegia and brain damage. 

The data is clear: going cordless is critical if you have young children. Options such as cordless cellular shades and roller blinds are great alternatives. You might also consider motorized shades to enhance convenience while eliminating the need for cords altogether. 

At Window Trends, we offer a large range of cordless and motorized window treatments that provide convenience and ease of use for parents and superior safety for children.

Opt for Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are naturally cord-free and provide excellent light control and insulation for your home. They are also sturdy and durable, making them more difficult for small children to damage, open accidentally, or interfere with. 

Aesthetically, plantation shutters add a timeless look to any room as well as enhancing safety. They are an easy-to-clean and low-maintenance option, making them a great choice for busy households.

Secure Your Blinds with Cord Cleats

If you already have corded blinds and replacing them immediately is not an option, cord cleats can be a quick and affordable safety upgrade in the interim. Cord cleats are simply small hooks that are attached to your wall and used to wrap excess cords, keeping them out of children’s reach. 

Consider UV-Blocking Window Treatments

You undoubtedly already understand the risks that too much sun exposure can present and take precautions such as applying sunscreen before allowing your children outdoors in the summer. However, did you know that sun damage can even occur indoors on hot days? 

UV-blocking window treatments help to protect your child’s sensitive skin and eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. They also help to prevent sun damage to furniture, toys, and flooring, keeping your home and belongings looking beautiful for longer. 

We recommend opting for solar shades, which block UV rays but still allow plenty of natural light into your home. In addition, motorized shades with timers can be programmed to adjust automatically based on the sun’s position, offering an additional layer of convenience, comfort, and safety.

Ensure Proper Installation for Safety

Even the safest window treatments can pose avoidable risks to your children if they are improperly installed. Professional installation ensures that the product is properly positioned and securely fastened in place, with any cords or other risky elements placed safely out of children’s reach.

At Window Trends, we offer an affordable complete installation service for added peace of mind.

Regularly Inspect and Maintain Window Treatments

Over time, even safe and properly installed window treatments may become loose or damaged, posing risks to your children. Take the time to check them regularly for any wear and tear, loose parts, or broken components, and perform any preventative maintenance. This will keep your treatments safe, effective, and aesthetically pleasing for longer. 

Create a Safe Play Zone Away from Windows

Children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. As a result, they may be tempted to play near windows, especially if there is furniture nearby that they can jump or climb on. Creating a safe play area away from windows can help to discourage this. 

Keep cribs, beds, chairs, and other furniture away from your windows, and ensure that cords, pull strings, and even curtain rods are completely out of children’s reach even if they do climb up on the furniture. As they get older and are able to understand, explain the risks to them and implement some basic “house rules” to help keep them safe. 

Choose Fabrics That Are Durable and Easy to Clean

The wrong window treatments can present a danger to your children, but children can also be rough on window treatments, damaging them by pulling on them, staining them, and so on. You can keep your home looking good for longer by carefully selecting the materials you use with childproofing in mind. 

We recommend choosing durable, easy-to-clean fabrics for draperies and shades. Many synthetic blends are better able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use than all-natural fabrics. In addition, consider applying a stain-resistant treatment. These are available with many custom fabric selections from Window Trends.

Window Trends: Your One-Stop Shop for Safe and Stylish Window Treatments 

All parents understand that the safety of their children comes before absolutely anything else. However, prioritizing safety does not mean sacrificing style. Here at Window Trends, we are committed to ensuring that you can have both. 

Our friendly, professional, and experienced colleagues will be pleased to help you choose safe and stylish window treatments that protect your children from harm while also keeping your home looking its best. 

To learn more about your options or to get started, please contact us, view our extensive catalog of products online, or pop into our Morris Plains or Chatham showrooms.