How To Childproof Blind Cords For A Safer Home
Stylish blinds, curtains, and floor-length drapes make your home beautiful and give off lovely ambiance. However, these things pose risks to your children, life-threatening even. According to statistics, three hundred children were seriously injured or killed by window blind cords from 1990 to 2015 based on the data by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. As parents, we must be vigilant in keeping our children safe from these strangulation hazards. So, how to childproof blind cords, you ask? This article will provide you insights into the many ways in childproofing your window blind cords. Not only that, but it will also give you other useful tips to avoid this hazard. Read on and make your home safe.
A Silent Danger
Parents who are conscious of the safety of their children almost always overlook a silent danger at home. What I am talking about are blind window cords. This part of the window blinds is long or in loops and poses a life-threatening danger to babies and toddlers alike. A curious and playful baby can accidentally reach a loose cord and accidentally wrap it around their necks and strangle themselves. You can prevent this tragic death by making your blind cords childproof and safe.
Childproofing Blind Cords
There are many ways on how to childproof blind cords. They can be temporary, or band-aid solutions, like looping the cord and hide them out of reach of children, or they can be permanent, like cutting the cords short and putting safety tassels on them, or safety cleats by the window. Let us check the ways one can make blind cords safe and babyproof.
Blind Cord Loop Anchors
Another solution is installing loop anchors. They function the same way with cleats, but they are versatile—they can work on blinds, drapes, and curtains. Make sure that for blind cords, they are intact, and the loops are anchored firmly to the wall or on the floor using these tie-downs. You can also find them in a hardware store or online.
Cord Wraps or Roll-Ups
You can use a cord wrap and roll-up as another way to childproof your blind cords. These tools are retractable and neatly secure the cords out of the reach of toddlers. They function effectively like loop anchors, but they are tidier-looking, and you do not need to install them into the window frames.
Safety Tassels
Safety tassels look like thimbles that you put at the end of a blind cord. If you have loop cords, you can childproof it by cutting the cord, and place cord safety tassels on each end. Just make sure that before cutting the cord, they still function properly.
Cordless Blinds
The best solution on how to childproof blind cords, however, is the go with cordless blinds! They are a great innovation and come in various styles imaginable. They are sleek and safe. They are even affordable, so the price is not a worry. The safety of your children is the top priority, after all.
Other Safety Measures
Now you know the many best ways on how to childproof blind cords. There are also other effective ways to keep your children safe, not only from blind cords but also from other potential dangers, such as curtains and other long draperies.
- You can make sure that the installation of your curtain or drapery rods is proper and fixed. Some pressure-mounted rods are easy to pull down and can injure your little one. Always watch out for these things as well.
- Another thing to consider is that children love to climb and play around furniture. The best way to put a low risk of ever encountering a loose blind cord or curtains is to move furniture, such as ottomans, chairs, even beds, away from windows with blinds. It is also one way to keep your kids from falling out a window.
- Today, blinds with cords are now to become obsolete, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. So it is good news for us parents!
Conclusion
Now you know how to childproof blind cords. They are many but simple ways, and the best of them all is to opt for going cordless. Remember, many items can improve your baby's safety and reduce the risk of strangulation hazards at home. They have different functions but have one main purpose—safety and security. Make sure to familiarize yourself with this guideline. Let us lessen the tragedy that is death in our beautiful homes by always prioritizing our kids' safety.