(BPT) – As families prepare and adjust to kids going back to school, play dates, fall festivities and more, it can be a sprint going from one activity to the next. With all that goes on, it is important to still keep safety top of mind.
With all of the educational parenting material available today, most safety-savvy parents know the ins and outs of keeping kids away from electrical outlets, kitchen cabinets, and heavy furniture. However, there are other potential child safety hazards inside the home that sometimes can be overlooked including windows coverings.
Corded window coverings can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Not all window treatments are suitable for homes where young children may be present, and families may need to replace existing coverings. Fortunately, there is now a simple way for parents and caregivers to tell which products are appropriate for their homes.
“Parents with young children should replace their corded window coverings with the cordless products available,” says Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) Executive Director, Peter Rush. “The new Best for Kids certification label recently launched makes it easy for parents and caregivers to easily identify which products are best suited for their home.”
The Best for Kids certification program is designed to help consumers and retailers easily identify window covering products that are suitable for use in homes with young children. In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must meet the specified program criteria and submit their window covering products to a designated third party testing laboratory. Once products pass testing they may be labeled Best for Kids.
There are many cordless products available in different styles, color and sizes to match the unique design of any room. Warm tones such as deep reds, greens and blues, are great for fall and can instantly make any room come alive. Switching out your summer drapes for heavier ones that are warm and cozy for winter and are Best for Kids not only helps keep in the heat, but ensures your children’s safety. Adding colorful floor-to-ceiling curtains or the addition of sheers can really add a dramatic element pop, almost as if you just added a fresh coat of paint to the room.
For more information on window cord safety and the Best for Kids program, visit windowcoverings.org or follow WCSC on Facebook and Twitter.
