Cord Safety
The SWFcontract Commitment to Safety
As an industry leader, we believe it is our responsibility to supply our customers and consumers with a complete line of safe, high-quality window treatments. We also believe that we owe it to you to do more than adhere to industry standards. That’s why we are committed to designing innovative safety solutions that exceed current requirements. Through proactive plan development, we aim to anticipate, identify, and eliminate potential safety risks.
Consider the End Users
When selecting window coverings for a commercial environment, consider all the users of the space. If children will be present at any time, the safer products are cordless or motorized window coverings. Examples of environments where child safety is a concern include hospitality, health care, child care, multifamily housing, lobbies, and community spaces.
See also information on ADA Compliance.
Repair or Replace Pre-2001 Window Treatments
As of 2001, the entire window coverings industry has improved the safety of blinds and shades by adding these enhancements to all products:
- Tension pulleys and tie-down devices in all continuous-loop pull cords
- Tassel ends on lift cords
- Cord stops on horizontal blind lift cords that prevent user from pulling internal cords through the slats
For a free retrofit kit, contact the Window Coverings Safety Council at 1-800-506-4636 or windowcoverings.org.
Important Cord Safety Guidelines
The Window Covering Safety Council urges you to check all windows for potential cord hazards and make the necessary safety updates:
- Install cordless or motorized window coverings when cord safety is a consideration.
- Replace window blinds, corded shades, and draperies manufactured before 2001 with products that meet updated safety standards.
- If replacement is not possible, repair window coverings manufactured before 2001 with retro-fit cord kits, available free by visiting windowcoverings.org or calling 1-800-506-4636.
- Do not place furniture or toys near windows with accessible operating cords.
- Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of reach.
- Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall.
- Ensure that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
- Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.
SWFcontract Window Treatment Safety Features
| Aluminum Blinds | Cellular Shades | Faux Wood & Wood Blinds | Pleated Shades | Roller/Solar Shades | Vertical Blinds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cord Cleats Option available with all window coverings that have lift cords. Cords are anchored to wall, out of reach of children and pets. |
• | • | • | • | – | – |
| Control Wand Eliminates the need for cords and chains to traverse vertical blinds. |
– | – | – | – | – | • |
| Cordless Lift System Lift cords are eliminated for increased safety and a streamlined appearance. |
• | • | • | • | • | – |
| Cordless Bottom Up/Top Down Combines two popular options into one — shade lowers from top or raises from bottom without exterior cords. |
– | • | – | • | – | – |
| Continuous-Loop Lift System Cords are kept at a constant length and held taut by a safety hold-down device |
– | • | – | • | • | • |
| Motorzied Lift or Tilt Motorized window treatments feature cordless control and are operated remotely with the touch of a button. |
Tilt on 2" Only | Lift Only | Tilt Only | Lift Only | Lift Only | – |
| Single Retractable Cord Patented Smart Pull operating system lowers the shade smoothly with a simple tug of the cord and raises it up with a few short pulls. |
– | – | – | – | • | – |
Cordless control options have been certified as Best for Kids™ by an independent lab