Child-Safe Window Blinds: 5 Tips for a Kid-Friendly Home

When you start to think about child-proofing your house, either in anticipation of the new arrival or just child-proofing it as your little one grows, one hazard is always overlooked.

While locks can be placed on cabinets, padding on table edges, and covers on electrical outlets, what about the window coverings? Curtains and drapes can be easy entertainment for kids (such as hiding behind them and playing peek-a-boo), but the long cords used to draw blinds are just too tempting.

Thus, a child can easily become entangled in the cord, which is a choking hazard. So, what can you do to child-proof the blinds? Fortunately, this is possible and there are options to invest in while keeping the aesthetic that you are going for.

1. Use cord-safe accessories

For cord-operated blinds, there are things that you can do to make them less tempting for a small child to play with.

By attaching cord anchors to the window frame, or close to the frame on the wall, you can operate the blind and tie up the cord so it is out of reach. Retractors fitted to the cord allow you to press a button that pulls up the cord and safely stores it in a small device that can then be attached to the wall.

Keeping the cords out of the way is the key to preventing a child from being tied up or strangled. Safe Toronto blinds accessories are easily accessible, and are a great inexpensive way to make the room secure on a budget.

2. Choose a new style of blinds

Having children means that a lot of things change suddenly. Now might be the time to invest in new window coverings to update the rooms, or to complement the existing decor.

Luckily, there is a wide range of child-friendly blinds that can bring life into the home and keep your child safe. These include the following:

Pre-Programmed Smart Blinds

A lot of modern technology is being used increasingly daily in our homes. From smart devices like Alexa to other smart controls, you can now program lights and security systems. You can do the same with your blinds.

Motorized blinds take the worry out of leaving your child alone in a room. Without cords to worry about, and with the ability to be programmed with set times to open and close automatically, they help to control the temperature and how much sunlight enters the room.

EZ Lift Blinds

These blinds don’t use cords or motors. Instead, they are operated manually by hand.

They are designed to be easily opened and closed, but they still function as any other blind would. With their soft fabric and panels, they offer privacy, temperature, and light control. You can open them and let the light in with a baby in the other arm.

Cordless Roller Shades

Cordless blinds and shades operate using different techniques to open and close. Some allow you to simply lift and then lock it in place, freeing it when gently pulled down to close again.

Others use a tension system, such as roller blinds, so when a small amount of pressure is exerted on a corner, they safely and slowly rise. They will also roll down again with minimal effort to ensure ease of closing.

Cordless Mechanism

Some blinds come with a cylindrical wooden or plastic pole, which is a cordless mechanism. By twisting one way or the other, you can open and close slatted blinds easily, allowing you to control the amount of light that enters the room.

These poles attach at the top and usually only hang halfway down, making them harder for small children to reach.

3. Rearrange the room

One of the things that children love to do is climb. Furniture close to the windows and blinds gives kids ample opportunity to climb up and grab onto any hanging cords.

Moving the furniture away from the windows and blinds not only allows you to redesign and refresh the room, but also helps you to child-proof your home.

4. Install secure drapes and curtains

If you are still looking to use curtains or drapes in a room, these can be hung safely to provide the feel and look you are going for.

By installing reinforced wall brackets, hooks to hold them back when opened, as well as choosing the right length to keep them away from playing kids, you will reduce the risk of pulling them down.

5. Retrofit your existing blinds

Depending on the age of the blinds, you may be able to contact the manufacturer and purchase a retrofit kit to remove the existing cords with something safer.

Choose Safe and Stylish Window Blinds

Toddlers between 1 and 4 years old are often at high risk simply due to natural curiosity. They are climbing, exploring, and getting into things that they shouldn’t just come with the territory.

Updating your window coverings and trying out new styles not only give the room a new feel, but can help you regulate the light and temperature, and create a safe, hazard-free space for your child to play in.

Window Blinds Direct has served Ontario and the GTA for years, providing style, comfort, and safety throughout the home. With experts on hand to help you select the right blind for your room, be it a nursery or the kitchen, now is the time to make the changes before the little ones grow up.

Check out our fantastic range of blinds in Toronto, and get a feel for how they might look in your home. Call us at 647-503-4357 or contact us here.