There have been safety concerns resulting in small to mid-sized recalls of window covering products for years due to accessible cording that poses a hazard to small children. If you have children or if you have frequent visitors with children the issue is one that should be given due consideration.

1. Walk through and actually look at the window coverings currently installed (cell shades, horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, roman shades, honeycomb shades, etc.) It doesn't matter what type of product is in use; take a small chunk of time and consider the negative possibilities presented by its design. ANY exposed cording poses a danger to small children. Check the back of the product in addition to the front.

2. Exposed cording should lead you to consider your options. Manufacturers of almost every type of window treatment from vertical blinds to cell shades now have retro fit kits available free of charge to alleviate any safety concerns on older products. These retro fit kits are available by contacting most manufacturers.

3. If it is a viable possibility financially owners and landlords are strongly urged to completely replace older, corded products. Cordless options are available in nearly every style of window covering from vertical blinds to horizontal blinds to roman shades. The cordless products offer the same aesthetic design and the same features and functions of their corded counterparts.

4. To ensure safety temporarily while searching for a more permanent solution start by tying down any looping cords with hold downs. They can also be cut and tied with a tassel. There should never be large pieces of furniture near window treatments. This increases the probability that a small child could gain access to cording.

Quickly remedy any safety concerns you become aware of in relation to your window coverings. Putting the retro-fit or replacement off is never a good idea. The Window Covering Safety Council offers detailed information on safety concerns and standards in the industry and is also helpful in gaining access to retro-fit kits when manufacturers are less than helpful. But even while providing the means to make corded products safer, the Window Covering Safety Council is in agreement with other industry experts that replacement of corded products with cordless is the only permanent solution.