We all know how it is to see your toddler stretch his or her little arm for that dangling blind cord. Again, corded windows are a stealth hazard – in fact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) cites corded window treatments as a top-five “invisible danger” in the American home. The good news? The most beautiful, versatile and user-friendly window products on the market today are also the safest.
Read through this guide to see what the best child safe blinds, pets and window treatments and cordless shades are so that you can opt for the most ideal choice considering your household.
Why Window Cord Safety Matters More Than You Think
Corded blinds have long been considered dangerous. Research by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS) has found that each year, thousands of under-six year old children in the US are injured or strangled to death by window blind cords. This is not just a known risk, it is so critical that new federal safety rules realized in 2018 require all stock window coverings carried to the US be cordless or have short inaccessible lines. New window covering products sold in the US and Canada from June 2024 cannot have exposed pull cords.
Inquire about any cordless or motorized window fittings the danger can be removed, and the solution is that easy. No cords to yank, no loops to get caught in, no risk.
Pets are at risk, too. Cats bat at visible cords, dogs chew them, and then pets get hung up in it and hurt themselves. Also, corded blinds are less difficult to maintain together with the eager pets.
Cordless Blinds vs. Motorized Blinds: Which Is Safer for Kids and Pets?
Motorized and cordless blinds are both safe, but they are not the same and not for everyone.
Cordless blinds are powered by internal spring mechanisms. No pull cords – the blinds are powered by internal spring mechanisms. They just operate on the bottom rail, which you pull down or push up to open and close them. They are the least expensive child-safe options, available in faux wood, cellular, and roller or roman shade styles, and typically meet CPSC safety standards. It is a simple, easy-to-operate design with no external parts for the children or pets to become entangled in.
Motorized blinds go a step further. They are powered by a silent and quiet motor, activated by remote control, mobile phone, or voice commands (Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit). Since you don’t have to touch the blind, there is no risk of the child or pet coming into contact with any part of the blind. Motorized blinds are the ultimate in child safety – especially in nurseries, rooms with large windows or anywhere you wish to operate the blind entirely by remote.
For most households, the solution is a combination of cordless blinds in less-used rooms, and motorized blinds in the nursery, children’s bedrooms and larger living room windows.
Best Types of Child-Safe and Pet-Friendly Blinds by Room
Nurseries and Children’s Bedrooms
Blackout and cordless are the key requirements. The recommendations from baby and child safety associations for nurseries are cordless cellular shades (or honeycomb) shades. They are well insulated (the honeycomb design helps maintain a constant, comfortable room temperature) and when paired with blackout fabric, they create the perfect environment for sleep. They are lightweight, easy to use (with one hand), and they have no cords.
Motorized blackout roller blinds are also highly recommended, and have the added bonus of being able to open and close the blinds without having to wake up the child – a great feature for naptime.
Living Rooms and Family Areas
Cordless faux wood blinds are perfect for those more communal spaces that get well worn by both children and pets. It is waterproof, easy to clean and hard-wearing so that it can withstand the stresses of family life. The motorized lift system allows you to avoid pulling the blind down while also eliminating all risk of cords. They also hold up to dogs and cats stretching swatting their paws against the slats.
Roller shades are also a good choice for living rooms. No slats to snap, no folds to catch pet hair and no parts that are easily accessible to little hands or paws.
Playrooms
For playrooms, safety is key. Cordless mini blinds in aluminum are cheaper, easy to clean and cordless. For rooms that receive plenty of natural light, cordless solar blinds enable you to reduce glare while still allowing light in – perfect for rooms with active play throughout the day.
Bathrooms and Kitchens (High Humidity Rooms)
Humidity-resistant materials are required. Both faux wood and cordless aluminum mini blinds can withstand moist environments and won’t crack. Fabric shades should be avoided in these areas as they can absorb moisture and lead to mold.
Features to Look For When Buying Child-Safe Window Treatments
When shopping for safe blinds for kids and pets, keep this checklist in mind:
No dangling cords or loops. This is non-negotiable. Cords, even short, are dangerous. If you must have blinds, look for cordless or motorized.
Bottom-rail weight. For cordless blinds, a bottom-rail weight keeps the blind hanging level and stops it being pulled down if a child or pet grabs the fabric.
Secure mounting hardware. Inside-mount blinds, which are fitted into the window, are more secure and difficult for a child to remove than outside-mount blinds. Be sure to read and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and use all of the mounting hardware provided.
Smooth, quiet operation. Blinds that pop, rattle or are noisy may frighten animals and tempt toddlers. Well-made cordless and motorized blinds are quiet.
Wipe-clean fabrics. If you have a home with children and/or pets, you will be cleaning those blinds a lot. Go for easy-to-vacuum or wipe-down materials – faux wood, vinyl and coated roller shade materials are all easy to clean.
Room-by-Room Quick Reference
| Room | Best Child & Pet Safe Option |
|---|---|
| Nursery | Cordless cellular shades (blackout) |
| Kids’ bedroom | Cordless cellular or motorized roller shades |
| Living room | Cordless faux wood blinds or cordless roller shades |
| Playroom | Cordless aluminum mini blinds or cordless solar shades |
| Bathroom / Kitchen | Cordless faux wood or cordless aluminum mini blinds |
| Large windows | Motorized blinds (remote or app-controlled) |
Are Your Current Blinds Safe? How to Check
If you already have blinds installed in your home, here is a quick safety check:
- If they have an exposed pull cord or looped cord chain, they are not safe for homes with children or pets according to current regulations.
- Blinds installed prior to 2001 were not designed with current safety standards in mind and should be replaced.
- If you don’t have cash to replace all blinds in one go, then it is advisable to select the rooms with unsupervised children or pets – nurseries, bedrooms and playrooms.
While you wait to replace the blinds, some older ones can be fitted with cord wind-up devices or cord cleats that keep the cords out of reach, but ideally this kind of blind should only be replaced with cordless or motorized blinds.
Professional Installation Makes a Difference
A poorly-installed cordless or motorized blind can also be very dangerous despite being one of the safest types available. The blind can be more easily dislodged from brackets in a way that is within reach of a child who may be able to pull it out or pets who jump on the window and become displaced because the blind is not fixed at the height. Professional installation ensures your blinds are mounted securely, measured properly, and function as intended.
Revolutionize your home with in-home installation by BuyHomeBlinds in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. We measure precisely, and recommend the safest and most suitable treatments for each room, taking into consideration the locations of defining factors like light sources before safely installing your blinds as well. To get started on this process, families with toddlers can schedule a free in-home consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cordless blinds completely safe for toddlers?
Cordless blinds remove the greatest risk – the hanging pull cord – and comply with CPSC safety guidelines. They are much safer than blinds with cords. For the safest option for rooms where toddlers may be unsupervised, motorized blinds take safety one step further by eliminating the need for any physical interaction with the blind.
What is the safest type of blind for a baby's nursery?
Cordless cellular (honeycomb) blinds with blackout fabric are the widely favored option for nursery. They have invisible wires or accessories, they provide a decent amount of insulation to keep living space at an even temperature and they’re great for blocking light out to help with sleep. Motorized blinds can be operated without entering the room.
Are motorized blinds worth the extra cost for families?
Motorized shades might be also suitable for nurseries and other rooms where children stay alone for a long time. They have no cords, can be programmed to open and close via a timer and they can also be operated with no contact with the blind. The wear and tear is less than other blinds, so they also last longer.
Can pets damage cordless blinds?
Cordless blinds are much more pet-friendly than corded blinds as there are no external parts to be chewed, batted at or pulled. The best options for pets are faux wood and aluminium slat blinds as the materials are strong and cannot be easily scratched or twisted. Cats with claws can damage fabric shades, so faux wood may be a good choice in areas where cats will jump on the window sill.
Do I need to replace all my blinds at once?
No. Begin with the rooms where kids or pets are left alone – nursery, children’s rooms and playrooms – and then tackle other rooms one by one. This will give you the most critical safety improvement first and allow you to spread out the expense.
What should I do if a child or pet has already been injured by a blind cord?
Seek medical attention immediately. And you can report it to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov to help the CPSC improve safety information and warnings for other parents.
Can I get cordless blinds with blackout fabric?
Yes. Most styles of cordless and motorized blinds are available in light filtering, room darkening and blackout fabrics – such as cell shades, roller shades and faux wood blinds. Cordless blackouts are great for nurseries and kids’ rooms.
How do I clean cordless or motorized blinds with kids and pets in the house?
Use a dark cloth or vacuum to clean blinds. If needed faux wood and aluminum blinds: wipe down with a damp cloth Most roller shade fabrics can be spot clean so you donít need to replace or wash the entire unit. Don’t immerse motorized blinds. But lighter cleaning is easier as the blinds have been in regular maintenance than scrubbing them when not cleaned for long, rub twice a month at least.