On average, each year in the U.S., nine children ages five and under die from strangulation by cords used to operate drapes, shades, various types of blinds and other window treatments. In addition, scores of children are injured – in some cases, permanently – in these accidents.
With this in mind, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal safety standard in November 2022 regarding custom window treatments. The new standard is designed to eliminate corded loops hanging from window treatments, which can loop around the necks of small children (and in some cases, pets) and lead to strangulation. The CPSC standard recommends the use of rotating wands to open and shut blinds and remote systems to raise and lower treatments.
At Victor Shade, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers, their loved ones, and their pets. With this in mind, we have worked diligently with our suppliers to update our range of window treatment products, offering our customers the safest possible options for their homes.
These important updates to our products include:
- Wood, faux wood and metal blinds will no longer include cords to raise and lower the treatments, instead using one of two systems for cordless lift systems.
- All wood and faux wood treatments now can be tilted using rotating wands.
- All honeycomb shades (Duette and Applause) now use a cordless system at no additional charge. The Ultraglide retractable option is available with a surcharge.
- Our Woven Woods products no longer include looped cords, instead using single cords which lengthen or shorten, depending upon the treatment being open, partially open or drawn shut.
- Woven Wood vertical drapery now use rotating wand systems only – corded operations have been eliminated entirely.
- Skyline products no longer use cords of any type, instead using rotating wands.
Victor Shade and our suppliers are committed to the safety of our customers and their loved ones. We’re pleased to be able to offer the safest, most up-to-date window treatments in the industry. We believe these updated products and their features not only make our window treatments safer, they also enhance the functionality and beauty of these products and improve the look and feel of your home.
Finally, if your current window treatments use looped cord systems, we recommend modifying those systems or replacing those treatments in the interest of safety. Depending on the individual treatment’s design, safety modifications can in many cases, be done quickly and inexpensively.
Of course, if you are updating your home, replacing window treatments is an excellent first step. Few updates have the visual or functional impact of new blinds, shades or draperies. Replacing some or all of your window treatments is an update that can be accomplished quickly, with little mess and can be done with any budget in mind.
Contact Victor Shade Today For A FREE In-Home Consultation
Call Us Today At 314.428.7979