Have Children Or Pets? Here's What You Should Consider When Installing Window Treatments

After you've installed baby gates at the bottom of every staircase, outlet covers anywhere little fingers could find, and child-proof locks securing kitchen and bathroom cabinets alike, you probably feel pretty confident that you've done all you can to make your home more kid-friendly. If you've swapped fine linens for durable fabrics that can stand up to wear and tear, and tossed out your potentially poisonous plants, you probably aren't too worried about your fur babies, either. But did you know that choosing the wrong window treatments can have fatal consequences for your loved ones? It's easy to get caught up in picking the perfect color or fabric, but some window treatment styles are much safer than others. From going cordless to ditching decorative tassels, if you have children or pets, there are many important things to consider when installing window treatments.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly half of all children involved in a strangling incident with a corded window blind, shade, or drapery die from their injuries. Even when the incidents aren't fatal, long-term injuries ranging from scarring to permanent brain damage frequently occur. Although similar statistics aren't recorded for pets, they are also at risk of injury or death from getting tangled up during a case of the zoomies or general curiosity. Recognizing these dangers, industry leaders and manufacturers worked for years to develop a general consensus around window treatment safety standards. Today, regulations require nearly all stock and custom window treatments to be cordless.

The cordless trend is a step in the right direction. But if you haven't changed your window treatments in years, you may still have corded blinds hanging around your home. To keep your family safe, ideally, you'll remove and replace them. If you love the look of blinds, consider Roman or cellular shades like the bestselling CHICOLOGY Cordless Window Blinds from Amazon.

Curtains, shutters, and window film are additional options. Choosing mid- rather than floor-length curtains can reduce the risk of falls from tripping (and keeps dust away from crawling babes). Make sure your curtain rod is securely fixed to the wall to avoid injuries in the event your little ones decide to pull or tug on the fabric. Shutters are another option that can look beautiful in bedrooms or playrooms while also providing privacy and room-darkening benefits. Adding privacy to your home with window film is a less expensive option that can still add visual interest while also providing your little ones with protection from UV light and glare.

If you simply can't afford to swap out your unsafe blinds, it's crucial to keep the cords untangled and away from young children. Consider using inexpensive window cleats like the Jetec Transparent Safety Cord Cleats from Amazon. Install them higher than your kids can reach. And make sure you tightly wind your cords around the cleat after raising or lowering the blinds. 

When it comes to pet-friendly window treatments, along with eliminating any cords that can get tangled around your precious pooch or curious kitty, there are a few other things to keep in mind. First, reconsider hanging curtains that touch the floor. Especially when they puddle or pool, curtains can be a magnet for fur and dander. This means you'll have to clean them more frequently. Some pets may also mistake the fabric for chew toys, which can ruin your curtains altogether. You should also avoid any window treatments that have tassels or other tempting decorative elements that could intrigue your pet, or worse, turn into a choking hazard. If you have your heart set on hanging curtains, avoid lace or woven fabrics because claws can easily become hung up in the fibers. Curtains made of smoother materials like microsuede or velvet are better choices. Opt for blackout styles if your pet is easily spooked by lightning or likes to bark at every passerby. 

Wooden plantation shutters can also be a great choice if you have pets. Along with being easy to wipe down, wooden slats are more durable when scratched or bitten. Don't forget to think about what's on the other side of your window treatments as well. It doesn't take more than a taunting squirrel before both cats and dogs will claw standard window screens to smithereens. Reinforced window screens like the bestselling MAGZO Pet Proof Heavy Duty Mesh allow fresh air into your home while keeping your fur babies safely inside.