This Baby Safety Hazard Is Finally Coming Off the U.S. Market

In a major win for baby and child safety, corded window coverings are getting a much needed revamp with updated safety standards—and could prevent tragic accidents from happening each year.

As of Dec. 15, 2018, a new industry safety standard issued by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requires that the majority of window coverings sold in the United States be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords. This new standard applies to stock products, sold in stores and online, which accounts for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the nation. It also adds new requirements for corded custom window products.

Photo: StockSnap via Pixabay

Corded window coverings are a common strangulation hazard to infants and kids and are one of the “top five hidden hazards in American homes,” according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Working together with the CPSC, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association has been working two years to get this new standard in place.

“The new standard is the result of years of collaboration among WCMA, industry, the safety community and CPSC. It will have a significant impact on reducing the strangulation risk that corded window coverings pose to young children,” said Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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