2018 Window Treatment Warning Label Changes

With the adoption of the 2018 Window Treatment Safety Standards, the window treatment industry has standardized and consolidated warning labels to send a strong message about child strangulation to consumers. Despite various approaches over the past several decades to prevent strangulation from corded window coverings, child fatalities continue to be reported. Although, the safety of corded window coverings is managed by different participating jurisdictions, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is working with fellow regulators to find solutions to improve the safety of all window coverings.

Safety standard graphics are now larger and more overtly illustrate strangulation dangers from corded blinds.  Along with an illustration clearly showing a child being strangled by a cord, the following warning language is used:

“Window blind cord can STRANGLE your child.  To prevent strangulation, purchase cordless products or products with inaccessible cords.”

Safety labels for vertical blinds will be placed on one side of the headrail, typically where the controls are.  Without a valance, this warning label will have dominant display in your decor.  It looks like this:

Consumers should look for the “Best for Kids” certification label to identify cordless window covering options.  The WCMA created the “Best for Kids” certification program in 2015. This label makes it easier for consumers to identify cordless products.

Stock window treatments which comply with cordless standards no longer have to include warning labels on their product of packaging. Corded window coverings will only be available on custom products, as corded products are still needed by a wide range of consumers, including the elderly and those with disabilities and those with windows in tough-to-reach locations. The revised standard imposes new restrictions on these custom orders. Custom orders are required to have operating cords with a default length of 40% of the blind height  and a default to a tilt wand instead of a tilt cord.

Ready to upgrade your window coverings or need more information on the 2018 Window Treatment Safety Standards? Contact us today.