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Updating window treatments is no longer just about style or light control — it’s now a matter of safety. As of June 1, 2024, a new law in the United States changes the way window blinds and coverings are manufactured and sold. If you’re a homeowner or planning a home update, here’s everything you need to know about the latest window covering safety standards.
Window cords have long posed hidden dangers, particularly to young children and pets. Tragically, incidents of strangulation and injury related to corded blinds led to nationwide advocacy for safer solutions. In response, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has mandated new regulations that aim to eliminate these hazards altogether.
The new law now requires that all window treatments sold in the U.S. must either be cordless or feature inaccessible cords. This critical change follows years of industry research, public awareness campaigns, and technological innovation.
The updated regulations specifically address two main points:
Cordless designs must be the standard for both stock and custom window treatments.
If cords are present, they must be inaccessible, ensuring they are out of reach for children and pets.
Previously, custom-made blinds were exempt from such strict standards. However, starting June 2024, all products — stock and custom — must comply without exception.
These updated standards build upon earlier measures:
In January 2018, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) made cordless designs mandatory for stock products.
In November 2022, the CPSC extended the rules to cover custom products.
Now in June 2024, full compliance is required across the board.
Understanding how these changes came to be can help you appreciate their significance:
January 2018: Stock window treatments must be cordless or have inaccessible cords.
November 2022: Custom window coverings were included under the same safety rules.
June 1, 2024: Mandatory compliance for all window coverings — stock and custom.
When we decided to update the blinds in our home earlier this year, I had no idea how much the world of window treatments had evolved. It wasn’t just about choosing the right style or color anymore — new safety regulations had changed everything.
If you currently have older, corded window treatments in your home, there’s no legal requirement to replace them immediately. However, any new blinds or shades purchased after June 1, 2024, must meet the new safety standards.
After learning about the risks, I personally took the time to audit all the window coverings in my home, especially in rooms where my kids and pets spend the most time. It’s reassuring to know that cordless options are now widely available, safer, and more affordable than ever.
The shift towards cordless window treatments isn’t just about safety — it’s also about convenience and style. Cordless blinds and shades offer a sleeker appearance, are easier to operate, and reduce clutter around your windows.
Popular cordless options include:
Cellular Shades: Great for energy efficiency and light control.
Roller Shades: Sleek and modern for any room.
Wooden Blinds: Classic design, now with safer cordless lifting systems.
Switching to cordless blinds has been one of the best decisions for our family’s safety and our home’s style.
If replacing all your window treatments immediately isn’t feasible, retrofitting is a viable option. Solutions include:
Tension devices to secure cords out of reach.
Cord cleats that wrap excess cords safely.
Conversion kits that transform corded blinds into cordless ones.
If accessibility is a concern, especially for high windows, motorized blinds offer an excellent alternative — combining safety, ease of use, and modern luxury.
Based on my experience, here are practical steps every homeowner should consider:
Prioritize cordless window treatments in nurseries, playrooms, and family areas.
Keep furniture away from windows with any corded coverings.
Upgrade incrementally if a full home update isn’t possible right away.
Consult a window treatment professional to retrofit or replace existing blinds safely.
Beyond legal compliance, the benefits of these new rules are enormous:
Enhanced child and pet safety: Reduced risks of injury or strangulation.
Modern aesthetics: Sleeker, cleaner window treatments without dangling cords.
Increased home value: Updated safety features can appeal to future buyers.
Peace of mind: Knowing your home environment is safer for your loved ones.
Embracing these changes is not just about following the law; it’s about making a conscious decision to protect your family while enhancing the beauty and functionality of your home.
Switching to cordless blinds and modern window treatments has been one of the best investments for our family’s safety and our home’s aesthetics. It’s amazing to see how regulations are now pushing innovation forward, offering safer, smarter, and absolutely stunning options for every household.
If you’re considering an upgrade, now is truly the perfect moment to embrace the latest in window treatment technology — safer, more stylish, and designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.
