These Are the Current Window Treatment Safety Standards
Many homeowners who visit Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc. have questions about window treatment safety, and for good reason. The
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that, on average, about 8 children aged 8 and under die every year from strangulation involving window blinds and shade cords. The danger is just as real for pets.
That’s a hard statistic to read, but here’s the good news: Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc. can help homeowners eliminate that risk. We customize child- and pet-safe window treatments from our Hunter Douglas showroom with cordless designs, hidden-cord systems, and motorized controls. Window treatment safety is a priority for our team, and we are here to help you find the right solution for your home.
How Window Treatment Safety Standards Have Changed
For years, the window covering industry followed a national safety standard developed by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and approved by the American National Standards Institute. What was once a voluntary guideline has since become the foundation for federal enforcement.
As of June 1, 2024, updated safety rules effectively eliminated free-hanging cords on the vast majority of window treatments sold in the U.S. Both retail and custom-order products are now covered, closing a long-standing loophole that had previously allowed made-to-order blinds to be sold with long, accessible cords.
What the Updated Safety Rules Require
The 2022 standard brought meaningful changes for both manufacturers and consumers:
- Free-hanging operating cords and tilt cords are no longer permitted on most window coverings.
- Multiple cords that join into a single tassel are also prohibited.
- Products like vertical blinds or roller shades that use looped cords or bead chains must include a tension hold-down device that keeps the cord out of reach. If that device is not properly installed, the product is designed to be partially inoperable until it is.
- Custom products that still use cords for specific accessibility or sizing needs must meet strict length limits and include permanent safety labels and required hardware.
These rules apply broadly across both off-the-shelf and custom-ordered window treatments.
Window Treatment Safety Changes in 2026
Since the major regulatory shift in 2024, the industry has entered an enforcement and refinement phase. For homeowners, the biggest trend in 2026 is the growing popularity of motorized window treatments, and it is easy to see why.
Motorized shades eliminate accessible cords. Instead of pulling a cord, you control your window coverings with a remote, a smartphone app, or voice commands. For households with young children or curious pets, that means one less hazard to manage.
These child- and pet-safe window treatments offer practical benefits beyond safety, too. Motorized blinds and shades work especially well for tall or hard-to-reach windows, and they are a great option for anyone with mobility limitations who finds traditional cord operation difficult.
Can You Help with Motorized Window Treatments?
Yes. Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc. features Hunter Douglas window treatments in Nashville, TN, including the PowerView® Automation motorized system. We can also walk you through other cordless options, such as SimpleLift™ and LiteRise®, to find the best fit for your home.
Design Without Compromise: Hunter Douglas Child- and Pet-Safe Window Treatments
Safer window coverings do not mean settling for less style. Hunter Douglas has made child- and pet-safe design a long-standing priority, and the options available today are genuinely beautiful. Once you see them, you will feel confident that protecting your family and loving your space can go hand in hand.
Contact Blind & Shutter Gallery Inc. for service in the greater Nashville, TN area, including Murfreesboro, Franklin, Nolensville, Brentwood, Fairview, Thompson's Station, and College Grove, TN.
