This post was sponsored by Window Covering Safety Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

The Importance of Window Covering Cord Safety

October is National Window Covering Safety Month and a reminder with a very important message for helping parents recognize the dangers of dangling cords. We have lived in our new home for exactly one year and with so many DIY and remodel projects on our list, the one that should be taking priority is installing only cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords. Window covering cords can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children and although thankfully our personal experience only resulted in a minor injury, we are very well aware of the dangers. Our youngest daughter is now three years old and having a blind cord accidentally wrap around her little arm while she was sitting in her big sister’s bedroom window could have had a tragic outcome. The Window Covering Safety Council is providing information to help parents make responsible choices in their home by selecting cordless window coverings.

We have a gorgeous view of the Arizona desert mountains from all the south facing windows of the top floor in our two-story home. Our oldest daughter’s bedroom has three square shaped windows with deep frames just over her bed where she sometimes sits to read or Facetime with friends. About a month ago our three year old daughter climbed into one of the windows with the blinds drawn up in her big sister’s bedroom. Before any of us realized she was sitting in the window alone, she fell onto the bed below with the blinds cord wrapped around her little arm. The cord hurt her arm and although she does have a scar from the injury, we are all very thankful that cord was not wrapped around her neck when she fell. Like all three year olds, she’s very curious and learns most things by hands on discovery. Falling from the window with a blinds cord wrapped around her arm has not deterred her from seeking that beautiful mountain view from windows with blinds.

The scar on her arm is a constant reminder of the dangers of exposed and dangling window covering cords.

But to a three year old, not enough to deter her from touching the blinds and cords.

It is our responsibility to maintain a home free of hazards to our children. Dangling and exposed cords are an extreme danger in homes with infants and young children but one not many parents recognize. The Window Covering Safety Council is helping parents take action with cordless options that can easily be identified by the Best for Kids™ certification program. Best for Kids products are currently available at major retailers across the country. Our older daughter was not quite so adventurous but our much more spirited three year old daughter seeks boundaries to push them. All children are different but window covering cords are hazardous to every infant and young child. Kids and cords don’t mix.

Next up is a big fall remodeling project removing all blinds with cords. In the meantime, it’s so important for us to take action and have all cords out of visibility so little sister doesn’t let her curiosity put her in an extremely dangerous situation again.

Have you checked your home window coverings for exposed or dangling cords that can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children?

Learn more about the importance of window covering cord safety by connecting with the Window Covering Safety Council on Facebook.