4 Safety Tips for Your Windows

October is National Window Covering Safety Month! With that in mind, let me ask you this question: Did you know that when it comes to hidden dangers in your house for little kids, windows and window treatments are in the top five? That's because both strangulation by window cord and falling out of windows are risks that most people don't think about—especially if you don't have small children at your home on a regular basis.

If you happen to have little ones coming in the near future—grandkids, perhaps?—you should follow these 4 tips for making your windows and window treatments as safe as possible for your young visitors.

1. Install guards and locks on all windows. Most people think that screens on windows will keep a curious child inside, but they would be wrong. Not only do screens not protect children from falling out a window, but when children do fall, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says that 34 percent of them require hospitalization. Your best bets for preventing falls? Install locks on all windows—even ground floor ones—put guards on the outside of the window (like you see in apartment buildings) and a window stop that allows the window to be open only as far up as the guard outside goes.
2. Pull furniture away from windows. While you can probably keep an eye on the toddler climbing on your couch in the living room, if that toddler is staying overnight, make sure that there isn't furniture near the windows. Curiosity could get the better of him and tempt him to climb up and out the window.
3. Pin up any long drapes. Believe it or not a crawling baby can get wrapped up in a window drape and suffocate. Or he can pull on the fabric and have the drape and rod come crashing down on him. To be safe get all of your long drapes off the floor before your littlest visitors arrive. You can even add some "style" to this safety move by using any vintage or costume jewelry, such as brooches, to pin up the fabric.
4. Replace or retrofit any blinds with pull cords. One of the most common dangers with older blinds and window treatments is that kids can get caught up in the blinds or the pull cords, and be strangled. The CPSC offers retrofitting suggestions for window blinds, which involves getting and installing new hardware on your windows. If you're going to go through all that trouble, why not just invest in new, safer blinds? Companies like Hunter Douglas have created cord-less window treatments, such as those that rise and lower using a remote or by responding to the touch of your hand. Here's another reason getting new window treatments might be worth the investment: they could qualify for an energy-efficient tax credit.

What kind of adjustments do you make to your home decor to keep young visitors safe?