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

Not many people realize it, but October is Window Covering Safety month. It’s a reminder to parents and child caregivers to access their window areas and eliminate hazards. From 1991-2000, the Consumer Products Safety Commission received nearly 200 reports of strangulation deaths resulting from entanglement in cords that control window treatments. While nothing can replace the watchful eye of a loving parent or caregiver, here are four tips to make the window areas around your home a little safer for children and pets:

• Place cribs and other low-standing furniture (beds, bookshelves, toy boxes, chairs, etc.) away from windows to prevent young ones from accidentally tumbling from windows.
• Install window guards. Don’t rely on screens designed to keep bugs out to keep children and pets in.
• Keep all cords out of reach from small children and pets. Install a Cord Cleat to secure loose cords or ask about other ways to anchor cords to the wall. Budget Blinds has a line of stylish cleats and matching tassels that get the job done and look great doing it!
• If your window treatments were purchased before 2001, or you don’t know when they were purchased, it’s a good idea to consider replacing them with a safer option

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Real estate professionals encourage homeowners to depersonalize the house, so potential buyers can envision themselves in the space. While you’re clearing clutter, cleaning and freshening paint consider your window treatments.

Changing Window Treatments Give Your House an Edge on the Market

 “Freshening the window treatments can go a long way in making your house stand out from the rest of the houses in the inventory,” said Tracy Christman, Director of Budget Blinds’ Vendor Alliance. More and more real estate professionals hire professional staging companies to spruce up a home to increase its appeal to potential buyers.

Some real estate professionals will include the cost of staging the home in their services; however, others may look to the buyer to make upgrades. Ask your real estate professional during your initial meeting about staging arrangements. “A really nice faux wood blind shows really well and works with virtually everyone’s décor,” she continued.

Here are some other tips to help your home standout on the market:

• If your draperies are dingy or your blinds are banged up, replace them with faux wood blinds. They don’t have to be expensive to impress potential buyers.
• While the orange and pink flowered roller shade was perfect for your daughter’s room, it may not be the look a prospective buyer’s teenage son has in mind. Depersonalizing rooms puts the home’s best foot forward. Choose white, off-white or a neutral wood tone.
• If you’re window treatments are stuck in the 90s, it’s time to invest in new ones. Plus, if you have the perfect family starter home, window treatments purchased after 2001 have additional safety features like breakaway tassels and cord stops that enhance safety for children and pets.
• If you have a great view, call attention to it by bundling window treatments. Bundling is the practice of combining two classic window treatments on one window. For example, layer a sheer drapery panel over a roller shade or window shading to soften the angles and add drama. Draperies can be used to lengthen short windows or camouflage harsh angles.
• Improve photo shoots by using window treatments to control natural light in the room.
• Add blackout treatment to media room for wow factor.

It doesn’t take a lot to make your home standout. One or two simple upgrades can give your home the edge over the competition in the market.