Guide · Home care
Blinds and Window Coverings
A friendly, practical guide to blinds, shades and curtains, from gentle cleaning and broken slats to cord safety for children and hanging new coverings the right way.
Where to start
- A child tangled in a cord?
Untangle them right away and call 911 if they are hurt or not breathing normally. See if a blind breaks or a cord tangles.
- Young children at home?
Start with cord safety basics. Cordless is safest with kids.
- Just want blinds that last?
Start with the checklist. Gentle hands, long life.
The short version
Window coverings bring privacy and comfort, and their cords can be dangerous to young children.
The CPSC says cordless coverings are safest with kids. Keep cribs, beds and furniture away from windows and cords.
Raise, lower and tilt blinds gently, dust them regularly, and open them fully before opening windows.
Share broken cords, bent slats or loose brackets, and ask before installing new blinds or rods.
Rules about window coverings differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Cordless is safest with kids
The CPSC says cordless window coverings are the safest choice in homes with young children.
- 2Keep cribs and beds away from cords
Move cribs, beds and climbable furniture away from windows and cords.
- 3Gentle hands, long life
Raise, lower and tilt slowly, using the controls, not the slats.
- 4Ask before you install
In a rental, ask before drilling to hang new blinds, rods or curtains.
Your blinds and window coverings checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Lovely windows, safe little ones.
Cord safety basics
The CPSC warns that window covering cords can strangle a young child in moments, silently, even with an adult nearby. Cordless coverings are the safest choice.
If cords remain, keep them short and out of reach, make sure cord stops are installed and anchor continuous loop cords to the floor or wall.
The CPSC also advises replacing window coverings made before November 2000, because their inner cords can form dangerous loops.
If a blind breaks or a cord tangles
- Take a breath. If a child is tangled in a cord, untangle them right away and call 911 if they are hurt or not breathing normally.
- If a blind falls or a bracket pulls loose, move everyone back and set the blind down safely.
- If a blind is stuck, stop pulling. Tilt the slats back to level first, then try lowering it gently.
- Take a photo of the broken part, the bracket or the bent slats.
- Share it in writing so it can be repaired or replaced.
- In the meantime, tie any loose cords up high and out of reach.
You did exactly the right thing.
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or safety-code advice. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.