By Janice Robinson-Celeste

Your toddler may be perfectly happy playing across the room, until a dangling blind cord catches their eye. The hidden danger is often not a new product on a store shelf, but the corded blinds or shades already hanging in your home.

October is Window Covering Safety Month, making this a timely moment to check every window. Safety rules for newer products have changed, but older corded coverings remain in many homes.

Quick Review

• Choose cordless window coverings anywhere a child under 8 sleeps or plays.
• Check every room, including guest rooms and spaces children rarely use.
• Move cribs, beds, couches, chairs, and play furniture away from windows.
• Do not rely on cleats, ties, or tensioners as a complete safety fix.
• Check the CPSC recall page before keeping or buying blinds and shades.
• Treat corded online bargains with extra care and verify the exact product and recall status.

Blind Cord Safety: What Parents Need To Know

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) designates October as Window Covering Safety Month. The agency reported 209 incidents involving children age 8 and younger from January 2009 through December 2021. Nearly 48 percent of those reported incidents resulted in death. CPSC also reports that, on average, about nine children under 5 die each year from window-covering cord strangulation.

A child does not have to be left alone for long for a cord to become a hazard. Young children can reach cords by climbing on a bed or chair, and a loop can catch around a child’s neck. Cords can be out of sight behind furniture or in rooms adults do not regularly inspect.

CPSC says cordless window coverings are the safest option when young children are present. The agency cautions that add-on devices, including cleats and tensioners, may be bypassed, installed incorrectly, or overlooked. They should not be treated as a substitute for cordless coverings.

CPSC recorded 209 incidents involving children age 8 and younger, and nearly 48 percent were fatal.
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What The Federal Safety Rules Mean

Federal safety requirements for window coverings have tightened. A CPSC standard for custom window coverings took effect in 2023, and current requirements restrict hazardous accessible cords on new products. That does not make every older corded blind disappear from homes, and it does not mean every corded product you see is covered in exactly the same way.

CPSC has also proposed additional changes. Its September 24, 2026 Federal Register notice is a proposed rule, not a new final rule already in effect. It would add certain cord characteristics to the substantial product hazard list. For your home, the practical point is straightforward: do not assume an older product is safe because it is still in use, or because it was purchased from a familiar retailer.

2026 Recalls To Know About

Several window-covering recalls announced in 2026 involve strangulation hazards. The recalls below were issued by Health Canada, so check the notices for product identification and remedy details, and do not assume a Canadian recall notice is a U.S. recall.

• Prime Custom Blinds shades and alternating blinds with a chain and cord shield were recalled due to a strangulation hazard.
• SANA brand manually controlled solar shades were recalled because of a problem with the supplied tension device.
• SoHo Blinds custom Zebra and Roller blinds were recalled. Health Canada identified a strangulation hazard with the Zebra blinds and a separate choking hazard with the Roller blinds.
• Omni Blinds roller blinds in a cassette were recalled due to a strangulation hazard.
• Interiors by Better Shade Roller and Duo blinds were recalled due to a strangulation hazard.

Corded blinds sold online also deserve careful checking. In 2025, CPSC announced U.S. recalls of BTAMREE roll-up blinds and ShadesU roller window shades. If you find a recalled product, follow the specific notice’s instructions rather than relying on a general fix.

How To Check Every Window At Home

Start with a slow walk through the house, looking at the window and the surrounding furniture from a child’s height. Check bedrooms, living rooms, play spaces, guest rooms, and any room where a child might wander or visit.

Then take these steps:

1. Replace corded coverings with cordless ones anywhere a child under 8 sleeps or plays. Prioritize windows in bedrooms and common play areas.
2. Move furniture away from windows. Cribs, beds, couches, play chairs, and other climbable furniture can give a child access to a cord.
3. Do not count on a tie, cleat, or tensioner as a complete solution. A device can be missed, installed incorrectly, or become accessible.
4. If you cannot replace a covering right away, reduce access immediately. Cut cord loops where appropriate, secure any resulting loose cords completely out of reach, and install cord cleats as a temporary measure. Keep checking that cords remain inaccessible while arranging a safer replacement.
5. Check recalls before buying or keeping a product. Search the CPSC site by brand and product name, especially when considering a low-cost online listing.

Alt text: Cordless roller shade on a child’s bedroom window, with no visible pull cords.

For more practical guidance, explore SCN’s resources and support for parents. A room-by-room check can help you spot hazards that are easy to overlook during everyday routines.

Alt text: Pinterest safety checklist reminding parents to check every window for blind cords, move furniture, and review recalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Older Corded Blinds Automatically Illegal?

Not necessarily. Federal rules apply to product categories and characteristics, and the September 2026 Federal Register notice is a proposal. Regardless of a product’s age or legal status, CPSC recommends cordless window coverings when young children are present.

Are Cord Cleats Enough To Make A Blind Safe?

No. CPSC warns that add-on devices can be bypassed, installed incorrectly, or ignored. They may be a temporary measure, but they are not a replacement for cordless coverings.

Which Rooms Should I Check?

Check every room a child could enter, not only the nursery. Include guest rooms, living areas, and rooms where a child might climb on furniture near a window.

What Should I Do If I Find A Recalled Blind?

Stop using it and follow the instructions in the recall notice. The right remedy varies by product, so check the exact brand, model, and instructions on the relevant CPSC or Health Canada notice.

Make This Month A Good Time To Act

Window Covering Safety Month is a useful reminder to make a brief home check part of your routine. Replace corded coverings where children sleep and play, move furniture away from windows, and check product recalls. Small, practical changes can strengthen safety throughout the home.

How old are the blinds or shades in your home, and which window will you check first? Share your answer in the comments.

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