Custom cordless window shades in a family home meeting the latest child safety standards
If you have young children or grandchildren at home, or you're simply shopping for new blinds or shades, the window covering industry's current safety standard directly affects what you can buy and how safe your home is. Since June 1, 2024, virtually all window coverings manufactured for sale in the United States must be cordless or have short, inaccessible cords.
At Window Treatments by Grace, we believe an informed customer is a safer customer. Here's what the standard requires, why it matters, and how to make sure your home meets it.
What Is the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 Safety Standard?
The ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 Standard for Safety of Window Covering Products is the industry-wide safety standard developed by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus process, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
It took effect on June 1, 2024, and applies to all window covering products manufactured on or after that date for sale in the U.S., covering both stock products sold off the shelf and made-to-order custom products.
The goal is simple: eliminate the strangulation hazard that accessible cords pose to young children. According to the CPSC, an average of about nine children under age five die each year from strangulation in corded window coverings. This standard is designed to end that preventable tragedy.
A note on the legal background: In 2022, the CPSC also issued a separate federal rule on custom window covering cords, but that rule was vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in September 2023. The industry standard described in this article, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022, is the operative safety standard today, and compliance is expected across the industry.
Key Requirements of the Standard
The 2022 revision significantly strengthened earlier versions of the standard. Here's what changed:
No more long, free-hanging cords. Free-hanging operating cords and tilt cords are eliminated on custom products. Where short "helper" cords are permitted, they cannot exceed 8 inches in length (or form a loop longer than 16 inches).
Certain operating systems are phased out. Traditional cord-lock and cord-tilt operating systems are no longer allowed, and continuous cord loops and bead chains are prohibited on horizontal slatted custom products such as wood and faux-wood blinds.
Stronger tension device requirements. Where continuous-loop cords or chains are still permitted (for example, on some roller shades and vertical blinds), they must use a compliant tension device that keeps the loop anchored and taut. Many compliant devices are designed so the shade won't operate properly unless the device is correctly installed.
Limits on retractable cords. Retractable cord systems are subject to enhanced performance requirements, including limits on cord stroke length.
Clearer safety labeling. Products must carry improved warning labels and operational tags with clearer, more comprehensive safety information.
Battery safety for remote controls. Remote controls containing button or coin-cell batteries must meet the ANSI/UL 4200A battery-safety requirements, protecting children from battery ingestion hazards.
Do You Need to Replace Your Existing Window Coverings?
The standard applies to products manufactured on or after June 1, 2024. It does not legally require you to replace corded blinds already installed in your home.
That said, if young children live in or regularly visit your home, safety experts strongly recommend upgrading older corded products. The CPSC advises that cordless window coverings are the safest choice in any home with young children. If replacement isn't possible right away:
Move cribs, beds, and climbable furniture away from windows with corded coverings.
Keep all cords out of children's reach and anchor any continuous loops with a tension device.
Never tie cords together or leave them dangling.
Child-Safe Window Treatment Options Available Today
The good news: today's compliant products are safer and more convenient than the corded products they replaced.
Cordless Blinds and Shades
Cordless lift systems let you raise and lower shades with a simple push or pull on the bottom rail, with no cords at all. Options range from custom blinds to designer shades in cordless configurations. When shopping, look for the "Best for Kids" certification label, a program WCMA created in 2015 to help consumers easily identify cordless window covering options. Manufacturers such as Rollease Acmeda offer spring-assisted cordless systems, for example their Easy Spring Air line, that make even large shades easy to operate.
Motorized and Smart Shades
Motorization removes cords and chains entirely. Entry-level motorized lines, such as Rollease Acmeda's Automate Basics, offer remote-controlled operation at accessible price points, while premium systems integrate with smart-home platforms for scheduling and voice control. Motorized shades are also ideal for hard-to-reach windows.
Compliant Tension Devices for Loop-Operated Shades
If you prefer a chain-operated roller or Roman shade, compliant tension devices, such as the Rollease Acmeda Chainhold Tension Device, anchor the chain securely to the wall or window frame. These devices are engineered so the shade won't function properly unless the device is correctly installed, which is exactly what the standard requires.
Everyday Safety Tips for Your Home
Products are only part of the equation. Homeowners play a vital role too:
Install properly. Follow manufacturer instructions exactly, and make sure tension devices are anchored securely. Professional installation removes the guesswork.
Inspect regularly. Check window coverings for worn cords, loose components, or damaged safety devices, and repair or replace as needed.
Educate your household. Make sure everyone, including babysitters and grandparents, understands how the safety features work and why cords must stay out of children's reach.
Ready for Safer Window Treatments? Let's Talk.
At Window Treatments by Grace, child safety isn't an afterthought. It's built into every one of our window treatment services. Whether you want cordless shades for a nursery, motorized blinds for the whole house, or simply an honest assessment of whether your current window coverings meet today's safety standard, we're here to help.
Schedule a consultation today and let us show you child-safe window treatment options that fit your style, your windows, and your budget.
