Eric Chaloux
Federal safety experts call corded window coverings one of the top five hidden hazards in homes with children and on Wednesday the Window Covering Manufacturers Association announced new safety changes.
“WCMA is initiating the process to revise the current voluntary window covering safety standard to effectively address the strangulation risk to children from products with accessible cords,” said Executive Director Ralph Vasami.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s emergency department-treated injury data demonstrates that from 1996 through 2012 an estimated 1,590 children were treated for injuries resulting from being caught in window covering cords.
“It is certainly encouraging that a substantial revision to the standard this year could, at a minimum, mean the vast majority of window covering products sold in the U.S. by WCMA members would be cordless or have inaccessible cords —meaning they would be safe for children—as soon as possible in 2018,” said Elliot Kaye, Chairman of CPSC.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS first exposed the issue back in November when the CPSC was asking the industry to consider changes.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS discovered back in 1985 the CPSC had concerns about corded blinds.
In May, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote the WCMA asking for changes.
“Consumers deserve to know that the products they use in their homes are safe for every member of their family,” said Klobuchar. “After tragic deaths of too many children, including seven in Minnesota, I am hopeful that the window covering industry will take this opportunity to develop standards that fully eliminate the strangulation threat to children.”
Back in 2002, Linda Kaiser’s daughter Cheyenne died in a corded window blind accident.
"I think it's one step on a long journey," said Kaiser. “"It sounds like this is definitely a step in the right direction."
Kaiser who also runs the group Parents for Window Blind Safety said she’ll be following the developments and hopes significant changes to eliminate possible dangers end up happening.
Target and IKEA have made the move to only sell cordless window covering options.
Representatives from Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart said they plan to switch to only cordless window coverings by 2018.