Cordless blinds and child safety
If young children live in or visit your home, cordless is the choice safety agencies recommend.
Short answer: young children have strangled on the cords of blinds, shades and curtains. It can happen in moments, even with an adult nearby. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says cordless window coverings are the safest choice and the only way to remove the hazard completely.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
What the data says
In its 2026 proposal, the CPSC counted 73 window covering cord incidents from 2018 to 2025, all involving children 8 or younger. Pull cords on horizontal blinds alone accounted for 21 incidents and 18 deaths, among children 12 months to 4 years old.[2 · Oct 29, 2026] The agency says supervision and warning labels aren't enough on their own.[2 · Oct 29, 2026]
The rules today (US)
| Stock (ready-made) | Custom (made to order) | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating cords | Must be cordless (motorized counts), have a short static cord of 8 in or less, or have cords you can't reach[3 · Oct 29, 2026] | Under the industry standard in effect since June 1, 2024: no reachable free-hanging cords over 8 in, and no continuous cord loops on horizontal blinds[2 · Oct 29, 2026] |
| Inner cords | Must be out of reach, or too short to form a dangerous loop[3 · Oct 29, 2026] | Same[3 · Oct 29, 2026] |
| Label | Permanent label with maker, month and year of manufacture, and "S" or "Stock"[3 · Oct 29, 2026] | Same, marked "C" or "Custom"[3 · Oct 29, 2026] |
The 8 in limit comes from the neck size of very young babies.[2 · Oct 29, 2026] In September 2026 the CPSC proposed making the custom requirements federally enforceable; comments are open until November 23, 2026, and it isn't final.[2 · Oct 29, 2026]
Choosing safer blinds
- Pick cordless or motorized lifts, or products whose cords you can't reach.[1 · Oct 29, 2026][4 · Oct 29, 2026]
- Cordless lift wood and faux wood blinds are a safer choice for homes with children and pets, according to Bali.[5 · Oct 29, 2026]
- "Cordless" products can still have cords inside them; they must be inaccessible.[2 · Oct 29, 2026][3 · Oct 29, 2026]
If you can't replace corded blinds yet
- Move cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows, ideally to another wall.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
- Make pull cords as short as possible.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
- Check that cord stops sit 1 to 2 in below the headrail when the blind is fully lowered.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
- Anchor continuous-loop cords to the floor or wall so they stay taut.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
- The Window Covering Safety Council offers free retrofit kits at 800-506-4636 or windowcoverings.org.[1 · Oct 29, 2026][4 · Oct 29, 2026]
- Most blinds sold before November 2000 have inner cords that can form a loop; the CPSC says to replace them right away.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
The CPSC stresses that these steps only reduce the risk. Going cordless removes it.[1 · Oct 29, 2026]
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Sources: 1. US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Go cordless. 2. Federal Register, 91 FR 60546, Substantial product hazard list: amendments to requirements for window covering cords (proposed rule, Sept 24, 2026). 3. US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Window coverings 15(j) rule FAQs. 4. Window Covering Safety Council. 5. Bali, Wood, composite and faux wood blinds measuring guide (PDF, hosted by a retailer). Checked Oct 29, 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners; figures are restated in our own words and tables, not reproduced.