Important Child Safety Information

Belgian Shades™ currently use lift cords that are exposed on the back of the shade.  These cords are used to raise and lower the shade.  

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued Press Release #10-073 on December 15, 2009, titled “Window Covering Safety Council Recalls to Repair All Roman and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation”.  Specifically, according to the CPSC, strangulation can occur if a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the shades or if a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.  To download a copy of Press Release #10-073, please click here.

 

The Window Covering Safety Council is offering a free repair kit to address this risk of strangulation.  To obtain one of these kits please visit www.windowcoverings.org.

The CPSC recommends that to help prevent child strangulation in window coverings, parents and caregivers should follow these guidelines:

• Examine all shades and blinds in the home.  Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product.  CPSC recommends the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.
• Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the window because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.
• Make loose cords inaccessible.
• If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut*