Window Covering Safety Month: Safer Windows for Greater Peace of Mind

Published 10/2/2026

October is Window Covering Safety Month, making it a good time to take a closer look at the blinds, shades, and shutters throughout the home.

Window treatments are an important part of everyday comfort and privacy, but older products with accessible cords can create hidden hazards, especially in homes with young children. Choosing safer operating systems and checking existing window coverings regularly can help create a more comfortable and family-friendly space.

Why Window Covering Safety Matters

Window covering cords may look harmless, but accessible cords can create a strangulation risk for young children. Older window treatments may be especially important to inspect because they may not meet newer safety standards.

Cordless window coverings are the safest choice for homes with young children. As an additional precaution, keep cribs, beds, furniture, and toys away from windows and window covering cords to help prevent accidental access.

A few simple safety habits can make a meaningful difference:

• choose cordless window treatments whenever possible
• keep furniture and cribs away from windows
• make sure continuous cord loops are securely anchored
• check existing treatments for loose or exposed cords
• replace older corded products when possible

Choose Cordless Window Treatments

Cordless window treatments eliminate free-hanging operating cords and create a cleaner, more streamlined look at the same time.

Norman offers several cordless options designed for easy everyday use, which are all Best for Kids certified.

• Soluna™ Roller Shades with PrecisionLift™ Cordless offer a sleek, contemporary look with smooth cordless operation. PrecisionLift allows the shade to be raised by pushing the hem bar and lowered by gently pulling the handle to the desired position.
• Portrait™ Honeycomb Shades with SmartFit® provide flexible top-down and bottom-up operation without dangling pull cords. SmartFit allows the shade to be lowered from the top or raised from the bottom for greater control over natural light and privacy, while maintaining a clean, streamlined appearance. 
• SmartFold™ with cordless combine the soft, cascading appearance of a Roman shade with smooth cordless operation. The one-touch lift system allows the shade to be lowered by gently pulling the handle and raised by simply pushing the hem bar to the desired position. 
• Centerpiece™ Roman Shades with AeroLite™ Cordless bring a softer, more tailored look to the window while maintaining easy cordless operation. AeroLite is designed for smooth, quiet operation, combining the elegance of Roman shades with everyday convenience.
• Ultimate™ Cordless Faux Wood Blinds provide the familiar look and adjustable light control of traditional blinds without free-hanging lift cords. 

Some window coverings, such as shutters and Norman SmartDrape®, are designed without traditional lift cords. Their distinctive designs offer a combination of style, functionality, and enhanced peace of mind, making them appealing choices for family living spaces.

• SmartDrape — Stylish, drapery-like shades with enhanced privacy and light control.
• Norman Shutters — Timeless and versatile, shutters elevate your home’s style while adding lasting value.
• Synchrony™ Vertical Blinds — Perfect for wide windows and patio doors with a clean and modern design.

Consider Motorized Window Treatments

Motorization can also reduce the need for traditional operating cords while making window treatments easier to adjust. For an accessible upgrade, Norman AutoWand™ Motorization delivers the luxury of motorized shades with budget-friendly motorization designed for modern homes.

Key benefits of AutoWand include:

• Smooth, effortless light control
• 100% cordless design
• USB-rechargeable and wire-free convenience

Upgrade to Norman Smart Motorization

For a full-featured, premium experience, Norman Smart Motorization delivers ultimate convenience and advanced control across multiple shade and shutter lines. Powered by ultra-quiet motors and intuitive remote or app-based operation, it provides flexible power choices and customizable options tailored to your home.

Key features and benefits of the Norman Smart Motorization system include:

• SmartSense™ Technology: For select products, SmartSense provides intelligent obstacle detection, automatically stopping the shade to protect your window coverings and ensure child-safe window treatments for homes with kids and pets.
• Award-Winning Power Solutions: Choose between a rechargeable battery system with Norman’s innovative wireless charging pole, or an AC adapter plug-in for continuous power. 
• Intuitive Remote & App Control: Effortlessly manage individual shades or set group presets across rooms using the intuitive remotes or the ShadeAuto™ app.

Motorized window coverings offer effortless operation while helping maintain a clean, uncluttered window area. For rechargeable systems, it’s also important to consider how the window coverings are charged. Avoid leaving long charging cables hanging near windows, particularly in homes with young children. Norman’s innovative wireless charging pole offers a convenient, cable-free way to recharge compatible motorized window coverings, helping keep window areas neat and free of dangling charging cords.

What Does “Best for Kids” Mean?

The Best for Kids certification program helps identify window covering products that meet specific safety criteria for homes with young children.

Products must meet program requirements and undergo third-party testing before receiving the certification. Qualifying products generally have no operating cords, inaccessible inner cords, or accessible inner cords that do not create a hazardous loop.

When comparing window treatments for a home with young children, looking for the Best for Kids designation can make it easier to identify products designed with child safety in mind.

Check Older Window Treatments

Even if replacing every window treatment is not immediately possible, existing products should still be inspected regularly.

Look for:

• dangling or exposed cords
• loose cord loops
• damaged hardware
• worn operating components
• cords that are within reach of children

Continuous-loop cords should be securely anchored with the appropriate tension device. Furniture, beds, toys, and cribs should also be kept away from windows with accessible cords.

These steps can help reduce risk, but they do not eliminate the hazard created by accessible cords. Replacing older corded treatments with cordless products remains the safer option.

Make Window Covering Safety Part of the Home

Window covering safety does not have to mean compromising on style or function. Cordless, motorized, and naturally cord-free designs can provide privacy, light control, and easier everyday operation while helping create a safer home.

Explore Norman’s cordless and motorized window treatment options to find solutions that bring together safety, comfort, and everyday convenience.

FAQs

Q: What is Window Covering Safety Month?

A: October is Window Covering Safety Month, an annual awareness campaign dedicated to educating homeowners about potential hazards associated with corded window coverings. It encourages families to inspect their existing blinds, shades, and other window treatments and consider safer alternatives, particularly in homes with infants and young children.

Q: What are the safest window treatments for homes with children?

A: Cordless window coverings are the safest option when young children are present. Motorized treatments and naturally cord-free options such as shutters can also eliminate free-hanging operating cords.

Q. Why are window covering cords dangerous for young children?

A: Accessible window covering cords can pose a serious strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Children may become entangled in operating cords, continuous cord loops, or accessible inner cords, sometimes within seconds. Choosing cordless window coverings helps eliminate these cord-related hazards.

Q: Are motorized shades safer for children?

A: Motorized shades eliminate the need for traditional lift cords, helping remove one common window covering hazard. However, charging accessories should also be considered when creating a safer window area. Long charging cables should not be left hanging for extended periods of time, particularly where young children can reach them. Norman’s wireless charging wand provides a cordless charging solution, helping keep the area around the window cleaner and free from hanging charging cables.