A blind cord hangs there all day, doing nothing. That is exactly why nobody thinks about it.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says children have strangled on cords from blinds, shades, draperies and other window coverings, sometimes within moments and even with an adult nearby. It is often silent, so caregivers may not realise it is happening.

The safest option

For homes with children, CPSC's "Go Cordless" page says cordless is the safest option and the only way to eliminate the hazard. Shopping online? Look for products described as cordless. Be wary of a seller calling something "child safe" without saying which standard it meets: ask.

If you cannot replace them yet

CPSC says these steps reduce the hazard (they do not remove it):

  • Move cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and cords, preferably to another wall.
  • Make pull cords as short as possible.
  • Install cord stops and adjust them to limit inner lift cords, 1 to 2 inches from the head rail when fully lowered.
  • Anchor continuous-loop cords on draperies and blinds to the floor or wall, taut but operable.

Free retrofit kits are available through the Window Covering Safety Council (details on the CPSC page); the page notes that such kits do not address the dangling pull cord on many common blinds.

Older blinds

Most blinds sold before November 2000 have inner cords a child can pull into a loop. CPSC says to replace them immediately.

Standards

The page links to CPSC news that an updated voluntary window covering standard has taken effect, and that CPSC approved a new federal standard for custom window coverings and now deems window covering cords a substantial product hazard. Check those CPSC news items for the dates.

These are US rules. We have not covered UK or EU standards.

Last checked: 21 October 2026. General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Sources: CPSC, Window Covering Cords / Go Cordless (page undated; accessed 16 October 2026).