Lowe's Stores Recall to Repair Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds; Two near Strangulations Involved Young Children

In light of the recent recall of 6 million Roman shades and 5 million roll-up blinds from Lowe’s Home Centers, Gordon Clements, of Gordon's Window Décor would like to discuss his company’s policy on child/pet safe window coverings. Gordon and Dianne moved to Vermont 27 years ago to raise their 3 daughters. And now with 2 grandchildren, are particularly concerned for child and pet safety.

Every year there are too many children whose lives are taken or forever altered in tragic accidents near windows that can so easily be prevented. Parents who replace their older window coverings with new cordless and motorized products can feel more confident about their child’s safety.

Gordon’s, along with the Window Covering Safety Council highlights these areas to address for optimum child safety.

1) Cordless and motorized are the recommended window coverings in homes with young children.

2) Check you present shades for cord loops that a child can get his/her head through; consider replacing any that do. Product origin may help as most, although not all, American manufacturers recognize child safety in their product design.

3) Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children.

4) Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall.

5) Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.

6) Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.

7) Utilize Tensioner Devices (available at Gordon's Window Décor) on corded shades.

8) Don’t forget about your pets. Window covering cords can be dangerous for curious cats and dogs.

Make your windows beautiful for you as well as safe for your children and pets. Most custom window treatment companies offer an amazing variety of product to meet every need as well as on staff designers to assist and offer advice. Some, like Gordon's Window Décor manufacture locally so in addition to following safety protocols, as much as 80 cents on the dollar stays in Vermont. We hope that this article will help keep our children and pets free from needless and tragic accidents.

Child Safety and Window Treatments

One of the largest concerns in the window covering industry is child safety. Today’s recall of 50 million roller and roman shades from stores such as JC Penney, Wal-Mart and Target ignited a frenzy of conversation online.

We at Gordon’s Window Décor are committed to window treatment solutions that are safe for your family. Here’s the run down on child safety, window treatments and what you can do to make sure your family is safe.

1. Motorized window treatment solutions- Almost all of our window treatments can be motorized making raising and lowering shades easy and safe!

2. Cordless window treatments- No cords, no hassles! There are a variety of types of shades from cellular EcoSmart shades to Romans that have a cordless option.

3. Conversion possibilities- Because we are the factory our talented production team can convert shades that may pose hazards to the children in your life into shades that are beautiful and safe.

4. EcoSmart Cellular Shades- Our standard operating EcoSmart shades come standard with a breakaway cord equalizer, and our continuous cord shades have a hold down that is screwed to the wall. Cordless and motorized upgrades are available on all EcoSmart shades.

If you have any concerns regarding the safety of your shades give us a call or bring the shades into our showroom and we’ll be happy to look it over.

We are confident that our window treatments will keep your family more comfortable and safe for years to come!

Gordon Clements, President