During the holidays, making sure loved ones are safe, happy and healthy is always #1 on everyone’s wish list. Since it’s a priority for all of us here, we put together a safety check list for you to use to prepare for the season.

- Check to make sure window treatments have enough room to close properly. Homeowners can prevent burglaries by remembering to close the windows and window coverings completely before leaving the house or going to sleep.

- Remember to keep curtains, tablecloths and bedding away from heaters. If you have small children, opt for cordless blinds or ensure cords, a strangulation hazard, are kept well out of the reach of children. Cordless Cellular Shades are a great option since they have no accessible cords; these shades are also excellent insulators so rooms will stay warm in the winter.

- Check portable heaters and electric blankets for damage or frayed cords before use. It’s best to only use one heating appliance per power outlet and always switch them off when not in use.

- Extinguish candles or any other open flames before going to bed, and always handle candles or anything with an open flame with care. It is also important to remember to store lighters and matches in a safe place far from the reach of children.

- If you plan to purchase a live holiday tree, be sure to cut 1⁄2-in. of the tree’s base to expose fresh wood (most tree retailers provide this service), and then place the tree in water. Check your water daily and place your tree far away from fireplaces, heaters and stoves.

- Avoid using old extension cords or dated incandescent lights to prevent power shortages and fires. Replace your holiday lights with LED or mini-lights. LED or/and mini-lights not only conserve energy and reduce maintenance costs, but they tend to be a safer alternative because they don’t use heat for illumination.  Speaking of heat generating light sources, avoid using candles with live flame to illuminate your tree. Additionally, be sure to only use outdoor or weather resistant lights for decorating the outside of your home.

- If you have a fireplace in your home, make sure the chimney is clean and always place a screen in front of it when in use. If you plan to hang stockings on the mantle, be sure they are high out of the reach of dangerous flames and stray embers. Only use firewood in your fireplace as wrapping paper and boxes have dyes that can be dangerous when incinerated.

- Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Experts recommend changing batteries at least twice a year to ensure your devices will work properly in the case of a fire.

- Make sure decorations and other objects are securely fastened on shelves. Always place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. In addition, be sure shelves, mirrors or frames are away from beds, couches and chairs.

- If you live in an area prone to flooding, mudslides or heavy snow fall, be sure to store sand, sandbags and shovels in a safe place should you need to use them. Use rock salt, cinder or other environmentally safe composts to keep sidewalks safe.

- Learn what kind of natural disasters could strike your region and be sure your emergency supplies are well stocked. This includes making sure you have food and water for 2 – 3 days and any medications you might need to treat an illness or injury.

- Make sure you have a plan. Talk to your family and loved ones and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that could happen in your region. Decide on a place to meet outside your home should you need to evacuate and designate a non-resident emergency contact to be in touch with.

- Keep a portable gas tank, outdoor gas heaters and patio lamps stored in a safe place and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Portable outdoor gas heaters can cause fires if they are not properly used or stored.

- Avoid using outdoor heat sources indoors.  Barbecues, grills, outdoor heaters emit hazardous gases and should only be used outside. 

“Many new parents don’t include window treatments and window areas during the baby proofing process,” said Tracy Christman, vice president of Budget Blinds vendor alliance.  “Window treatments that are perfectly safe for an adult may pose a tempting hazard to infants and toddlers who view dangling cords as playthings and may become entangled in them.”

The Window Covering Safety Council recommends that only cordless window products be used in homes where young children are present – including grandparents’ homes and child care facilities to minimize risk. Additionally, owners and renters should replace all window coverings in the home made before 2001 with today's safer products.

Knowing which products offer enhanced safety is important, and that’s where Budget Blinds’ 800 plus franchisees can be helpful.

“There are many window treatments that are either cord free by nature or can be ordered with either cordless lift options, or wand controls, or motorization to eliminate pull cords,” said Christman. “A local Budget Blinds style consultant can demonstrate the features of each product to homeowners so they can make an informed decision about their window coverings.”

Certain styles of window coverings, like shutters, draperies and motorized roller shades have no internal cords; whereas, the internal cords of cordless cellular shades, particularly those with smaller cells, are inaccessible to tiny fingers, making them a good choice for homes where small children are present. 

 “While nothing can replace the careful, watchful eye of a loving parent or guardian, there are things you can do to minimize hazards and enhance safety in your home,” said (Last Name).

 In addition to choosing cordless window treatments, new parents want to pay attention to where they place furniture in the room.  The Window Covering Safety Council recommends moving cribs and furniture away from window areas so that children aren’t tempted to play with window treatments.

If you are in a living situation where you cannot install cordless window treatments, be sure to also secure operation cords out of reach with cord tensioners and cord cleats.

Additional safety tips can be found at www.budgetblinds.com/safety and www.windowcoverings.org.

About BUDGET BLINDS, Inc. and Home Franchise Concepts

Based in Orange, California, Budget Blinds, Inc. was founded in 1992 and currently boasts over 800 franchise territories serving nearly 4,000 cities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2006, the founders of Budget Blinds, Inc. created Home Franchise Concepts to be the parent company to Budget Blinds and its sister concepts. As consumer demand for its quality, convenient services continues to grow, Budget Blinds is on its way to dominating the multi-billion dollar window covering market.   Budget Blinds has been recognized as a leader in the franchise industry by organizations such as Entrepreneur, AllBusiness.com, Canadian Franchise Association, Franchise Times, Inc. and Franchise Business Review.  For more information on Budget Blinds please visit www.budgetblinds.com or our press room at www.budgetblinds.com/pressroom or call 1-800-519-6298.  You are also invited to like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BudgetBlinds and follow us on Twitter, @BudgetBlinds.

In addition to added convenience, motorized window treatments enhance safety and security because cords are eliminated. Window treatments on hard-to-reach windows are closed with the touch of a button and some motorization packages let you program your window treatments to open and close throughout the day. This makes your home appear occupied throughout the day and discourages would be thieves.  

Virtually all window treatments sold by Budget Blinds can be motorized for added convenience and security. We use only quality Somfy motors to power our window treatments and outdoor solar shades.

Learn more about Somfy motorization here: http://bit.ly/mhJd8N