We all know the importance of keeping your home safe for children and pets, but did you know this pertains to window treatments as well?

Corded window treatments are considered one of the top five hidden household hazards according to consumer protection agencies in both the US and Canada since children and pets can easily become entangled in the cords.

Luckily, significant advancements in window treatment design and technology have been made to remove these hazards.

In this article we are going to discuss 6 window covering safety features for your home or workplace that can help to keep your children and pets safe and give you peace of mind.

Window Covering Safety Feature #1: Cordless Lift Systems

Cordless lift systems eliminate the need for a lift cord completely. A spring-assist mechanism allows the treatment to be raised or lowered simply by pulling the bottom rail to the desired position.

While cords may still be necessary within the actual window treatment, such as ladder cords within a window blind, these cords do not extend outside or hang down from the treatment and therefore do not create a safety hazard.

One consideration for cordless lift systems is to take into account the height of the window. Tall windows are not ideal for cordless lift systems since they may not be easily accessible when raised to the top of the window.

A fantastic solution for tall windows is motorization. Motorization eliminates the need to manually raise or lower your cordless window treatments. We will continue discussing motorization a little later on in this article.

Cordless life systems are a window covering safety feature that are available with:

• Aluminum Blinds
• Wood Blinds
• Faux Wood Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Fabric Shades
• Natural Shades
• Pleated Shades
• Roller/Solar Shades

Window Covering Safety Feature #2: Cordless Top Down/Bottom Up

Top down/bottom up window treatments can be operated from the top or from the bottom.

Two rails are installed for top down/bottom up window treatments - a mounting rail and a floating rail. The mounting rail holds the window treatment in place, while the floating rail can be disengaged to raise or lower that portion of the treatment.

Top down/bottom up window treatments can be raised or lowered independently from one another providing a wider range of functionality. These window treatments are ideal for windows that may require some privacy from time to time without wanting to completely obscure the entire window.

Top down/bottom up window treatments also help with light control and energy efficiency since part of the window can be covered while the rest is left open.

Cordless top down/bottom up window treatments utilize the same mechanism as the cordless lift system to raise or lower the top or bottom portions of the treatment as desired.

Cordless top down/bottom up options are a window covering safety feature that are available with:

• Cellular Shades
• Pleated Shades

Window Covering Safety Feature #3: Cord Cleats

What is a cord cleat? A cord cleat is a small piece of metal or plastic that can be installed on the frame of a window or to the wall next to a window.

A cord cleat allows a window treatment with long lift cords to be kept high and out of reach by wrapping the extra cord in a figure-eight pattern and secured to the cleat.

Cord cleats are a simple addition to any window treatments that still have long lift cords which pose a hazard to children and pets. They are inexpensive and easy to install if you don’t mind attaching something to your window frame or wall.

The downside is that in order for the cord cleat to be effective, it must be installed and used properly. When raising or lowering a blind or shade, the lift cord is unwound from the cleat. Once in place, the lift cord must be reattached to the cleat to keep the excess cord secure. If the cord cleat is not used properly, it can create a false sense of security.

As long as the cord is attached securely to the cord cleat, this will keep the cord well out of reach from little ones.

Cord cleats are a window covering safety feature that are available with:

• Aluminum Blinds
• Vinyl Blinds
• Wood Blinds
• Faux Wood Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Fabric Shades
• Natural Shades
• Pleated Shades

Window Covering Safety Feature # 4: Continuous Loop Lift Systems

Unlike standard lift cords, a continuous loop lift runs down the side of the window treatment and returns to the headrail making one continuous loop.

A pulley is attached to the cord loop to assist in raising or lowering the window treatment. Since the cord is looped, there is no extra length of cord that hangs free which can be hazardous.

Other benefits of the continuous loop lift is that the cords remain tangle-free, the treatment can be raised or lowered to any particular height, and the pulley system can assist with larger, heavier window treatments.

Cordless loop lift systems are still recommended to be attached securely to the wall or window frame to ensure there is no chance of little ones or pets getting caught up in the cords.

Continuous loop lift systems are a window covering safety feature that are available with:

• Cellular Shades
• Fabric Shades
• Natural Shades
• Pleated Shades
• Roller/Solar Shades
• Sheer Shades
• Layered Shades

Window Covering Safety Feature #5: Control Wand

Another cordless option that is available for a selection of window treatments is a control wand.

Control wands are commonly used for adjusting the tilt for slats in horizontal blinds but they are also a great option for window treatments that open and close horizontally across a window or sliding glass door.

A control wand eliminates the need for a pull cord for certain window treatments allowing them to be opened and closed with a wand instead.

Control wands are a window covering safety feature that are available with:

• Natural Drapes
• Vertical Blinds

Window Covering Safety Feature #6: Motorization

Motorization can be added to many window treatment options. Depending on the type of window treatment, the lift or the tilt may be motorized.

Motorized tilt is when the slats or louvers can be programmed to open or close with the push of a button.

Motorized lift is when the window treatment can be programmed to raise or lower without a manual pull cord.

In a few instances, both the tilt and the lift can be motorized.

Both tilt and lift provide light control, privacy, and increase energy efficiency to a window. By adding motorization to the tilt or lift control, these functions can be performed without manually having to open or close the window treatment.

Motorized window treatments can also be connected to programs that will automatically open or close the treatments on a pre-set schedule to ensure your rooms remain comfortable throughout the course of a day.

Some motorization programs can even incorporate light sensing technology to determine when to open or close the window treatments allowing for optimal positioning depending on the weather and time of day.

Motorization is a wonderful addition to window treatments adding convenience and functionality even when you are not present in the room. Children’s bedrooms or nurseries benefit from this technology because window treatments can be closed without having to enter the room. Or, keep your pet comfortable at home while you are away with motorized window treatments. Even your valuables can be protected by window treatments that can block harsh sunlight or harmful UV rays from damaging furniture, rugs, and artwork in your home.

Motorization is not just beneficial for your home, but can also greatly enhance commercial spaces that cater to a younger clientele such as daycares, preschools, and other child-based places of business. Keep all those little customers safe and protected by utilizing motorized window treatments.

To read more about motorization, continue reading 3 Window Treatment Challenges That Can Be Solved With smart home Systems And Motorization.

Motorization is a window covering safety feature that is available with:

• Aluminum Blinds
• Vinyl Blinds
• Wood Blinds
• Faux Wood Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Fabric Shades
• Natural Shades
• Pleated Shades
• Roller/Solar Shades
• Sheer Shades
• Layered Shades

Conclusion

Your home should be a place of comfort and safety and with a little guidance, your window treatments can enhance both.

There are numerous options available for beautiful window treatments that can keep your little ones safe and put your mind at ease.

At Gotcha Covered, our designers are experts at determining the best window treatments to fit your needs, style, and budget. They will be sure to make the best recommendations for each room in your home or workplace, taking into careful consideration what features will be best suited for your particular situation.

Call us at (888) 650-6187 or schedule a free design consultation today! We are now offering virtual and in-home consultations and we look forward to meeting with you!