Kansas City (among other) television stations have recently been reporting on the latest news from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding window blinds and shades.

In case you weren’t aware, on December 15, 2009… the CPSC announced a voluntary “recall to repair” roman shades and roll-up blinds to reduce the risk of strangulation to young children. 

On June 17, 2010… Government safety officials warned window blind and shade manufacturers that their products — responsible for one child strangling each month — must be safer or they will face new regulations.  Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said that window blinds manufacturers must quickly develop safer standards for window blinds and shades. If not, the government will stop relying on the industry to set its own standards and instead develop its safety standards for window blinds.

Also, on said date… The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) have joined together to call for strong and comprehensive international safety standards on window coverings from manufacturers and standards organizations.  This is the first time the three safety agencies, representing consumers in 29 countries, have joined together to demand strong worldwide safety standards on a specific product. Watch the lastest video on U-Tube!

Hunter Douglas has always supported this effort and we are proud to be an alliance of a window covering industry that makes safety for children one of its highest priorities.  Get in Touch, or call… for more information.