Home decor goes through quite an evolution as your life changes, but nothing has the biggest impact as when you start building the perfect family home. Requirements change, and compromises have to be made. What you thought was perfect pre-kids suddenly becomes hazardous or just laughable (pristine cream carpets and matching sofa springs to mind!)
The thing is, just because you are a parent doesn’t mean that you no longer appreciate style; it’s just that having children means your style needs a side helping of practicality, and most importantly, safety.
But how can you make sure your windows are as safe as possible? Child-safe window treatments ensure that the little people in your home are protected, and it’s simpler than you might realise to achieve.
This blog shows what to consider when choosing child-safe options.
The Risks of Unsafe Window Coverings
There are many window covering options available to you, but some pose real problems for the family home. Cords and chains can be a potential strangulation hazard for young children, and certain fabric blinds and curtains might not be practical or safe either. Once you start looking into the specifications of different window coverings, it makes you realise how discerning you need to be when choosing.
Blinds are super easy to use and appear totally harmless, but to a toddler or young child, the looped cords could be deadly if they get caught around their neck. In fact, according to RoSPA, looped blind cords have been involved in at least 35 deaths in the UK since 2001.
This sobering fact highlights just how important it is to choose child-friendly window coverings. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from, and these child-safe window treatments don’t mean that you have to compromise on style either.
Child-Safe Window Treatments
Here are the best child-safe window treatments to choose from.
Shutters
Shutters are a popular choice because they provide excellent privacy, superior light control, better security and improve the energy efficiency of your home. From a safety perspective, there are no cords to worry about; they are super durable and very long-lasting (with a 5 year warranty!). They are also incredibly easy to clean, making them an excellent choice for the family home, providing complete safety and peace of mind.
Shutters can be used throughout your home on almost any window – including conservatories! There is an incredible array of safe shutters for families to cover all types of windows. They add a touch of class to any home and are a sound choice when searching for child-friendly window coverings.
Cordless blinds
Cordless blinds, such as Duette, are another great choice, but it is worth noting that, on the whole, they are not as robust as shutters and can not offer the same longevity. Blinds such as Duette provide the perfect light control, offering extensive UV protection while capturing light beautifully and diffusing it effectively throughout your room. Duette blinds are the most durable blinds on the market and come in an extensive range of designs, so you don’t have to compromise on style.
All Duette blinds can be custom-created for your space, regardless of your window’s shape, and they can also be fitted with an automation option, but you can read more about this in the motorised options section below.
Motorised options
Motorised options are the perfect answer to difficult-to-use or dangerous corded window coverings. Motorised options use high-end technology to open, close and perform any other features without ever having to touch them. They are super simple to use with either a remote control or a smartphone app. You can even set them to open and close while you are away, enhancing your home security whilst being totally convenient for you.
Why Shutters Are a Great Family Choice
Out of all the options available, we recommend shutters to ensure that you have complete privacy, quality insulation and timeless style. The completely cordless design results in zero risk, making them totally child and pet-safe.
They also provide additional security for your home, with shutters acting as a durable physical barrier, making your windows a much harder entry point for potential intruders.
However, one of the most significant benefits is that they can save you money. Investing in excellent energy efficiency helps keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Of all the window coverings available, shutters are the easiest to clean, too, which, if you have a family, is a massive bonus!
The Importance of Choosing a BBSA Member
Did you know that since the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) launched the Make it Safe campaign in 2009, it has raised awareness of child-friendly window coverings? Since this successful campaign, the BBSA has established strict child safety standards. If you purchase BBSA-approved products, you can trust that you are getting fully compliant, tested products that are completely safe.
At The Scottish Shutter Company, we are proud to be a BBSA member and are honoured to have received awards from them. All accreditations associated with them demonstrate our professionalism, and we hope they provide peace of mind to our customers.
If you want to learn more about child-safe window treatments, you can contact us and discuss the various options available. Our consultations are free with no obligation to buy, and we have over 37 years of experience to help make you the perfect choice for your home. With hundreds of potential products to choose from, we’re happy to help you make the right choice that combines BBSA child safety with your personal style.
Book a complimentary design consultation with The Scottish Shutter Company to discover the ideal child-safe window treatment for your family home.
