Today’s recall of 5.5 million window coverings has many homeowners assessing their current window treatments.

None of the manufacturers involved in the recall announced on August 26 have been members of Budget Blinds’ Vendor Alliance.  However, while none of our preferred vendors are on the recall list, franchisees may occasionally source product from elsewhere to meet customers’ needs and so you may wish to contact your Budget Blinds Style Consultant to be certain that your window coverings include the latest safety features and are not included in the recall.

When choosing window coverings for your home it may be tempting to purchase off-the-rack treatments from a local store. However, as today’s recall shows, it is worth calling in a professional Budget Blinds Style Consultant to benefit from Budget Blinds’ custom products and services, particularly if the population of your home is changing.

Benefits of calling a Budget Blinds Style Consultant:

• During a free in-home consultation, a Budget Blinds Style Consultant can help homeowners evaluate their window covering needs, taking into consideration the family’s decorating style, lifestyle, how the room will be used and the features the family wants. 
  
• A Budget Blinds Style Consultant can suggest a number of products and features to homeowners of which they may not be aware of, but will benefit them in the long run.
  
• Unlike other window covering retailers, Budget Blinds Style Consultants can offer you choices from the Budget Blinds Vendor Alliance, comprised of over 30 leading window coverings and home décor manufacturers, including: Kathy Ireland Home® by Alta®, Castec, Lafayette Interior Fashions and Budget Blinds’ own private line, Signature Series®.
  
• A Budget Blinds Style Consultant will take all the measurements needed to order window treatments and ensure a perfect fit.
  
• When the window treatments arrive, they will be professionally installed. Proper installation is necessary for the safety features to operate properly.

It’s equally important to remind parents and caregivers that while added features can enhance safety, nothing can replace the watchful eye of a loving parent or caregiver.

For more safety tips, please visit our Safe At Home page at www.budgetblinds.com/safety.

• Protects furnishings from premature fading by blocking up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which is also good for people who want to avoid incidental sun exposure
• Prevents solar heat gain keeping rooms cooler and cutting energy costs up to 30 per cent
• Keeps glass from shattering if broken or penetrated, minimizing damage from flying chards of glass
• Improves view by cutting glare without obstructing your field of view
• Adds privacy
• Security films can deter crime.

If your window treatments were purchased before 2001, or if you don’t know when they were purchased, it may be time to replace them with newer window coverings with updated safety features. This is particularly a good idea if you’ve recently welcomed a new baby or pet into the family. While nothing is going to replace a vigilant parent or caregiver, these features will enhance the safety of your window coverings. Budget Blinds Vendor Alliance Director, Tracy Christman, recommends these safety features for homes with small children and pets to reduce the risk of entanglement:

Cordless Window Treatments - Raise and lower window coverings easily without cords! Eliminating cords also creates an aesthetically-pleasing, uncluttered look that is popular in today’s decor. This feature is available on a number of window treatments.

Motorized Window Treatments - Using a battery-operated remote control, you can raise, lower, tilt or open and close your window coverings at the touch of a button. Motorization has increased in popularity over the years and is available on numerous window treatments. With some motorization packages, homeowners can pre-program window treatments to open and close throughout the day enhancing security by making the home look occupied and saving energy by controlling heat gain.

Wand - Some window treatments, such as horizontal blinds and vertical blinds, are available with a control wand as opposed to a pull cord.

Breakaway Tassels - If you must have control cords, make sure they have breakaway tassels.

Inner Cord Stops - This feature prevents the inner cords from being pulled out where they could pose a strangulation hazard to children and pets.

Cord Cleats - Cord cleats keep continuous cord loops tightly secured against the wall so they cannot be pulled away or played with.

Find our more about window covering safety here