Design Solutions

Do Your Part for Safety

Professionals need to ensure the safety of the products they design, sell and install.

by Sharon L. Anderson

CHALLENGE: I have been very concerned recently about all the attention given to the largest product recall in history—horizontal blinds. It is our duty and responsibility as professionals in the residential and commercial design industry to guarantee the safety of the products we offer to the public and private sectors. What is being done about this recall and what is our responsibility? SOLUTION: The end of October 2000 marked a very important turning point in the window treatments industry. Insuring the safety of the consumer is our No. 1 priority. We cannot look back, we must push forward on ensuring the safety of all products in the window treatments industry. The recall of horizontal blinds has shaken the trust consumers had in our industry. On November first, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced its recall because of strangulation hazards provided by the inner lift cords of horizontal blinds. (For complete details, see "Safety First," D&WC, December 2000.) I visited a home improvement store in California one day after the recall was announced. The actual retrofit package that was given to customers free of charge to eliminate the hazard was displayed at every cash register. The word was filtering to consumers. I ask each and every professional in our industry to go the extra mile to get the word out to their customers. Lives have been lost because of looped cords and the problem has hit home with many consumers. It is my goal as I am writing this article to have each and every person reading it take an active part in promoting the safety of the products we sell and to assist in correcting this fatal error. I challenge everyone to do their part in assuring the safety of every consumer by designing and installing safe window treatments. Editor's note: This is a continuing series of articles written by Sharon L. Anderson that will answer some of the many questions we receive at Draperies & Window Coverings as well as questions Anderson has encountered in her own business. If you have a question you would like Anderson to address, please send it to: Design Solutions c/o Draperies & Window Coverings 666 Dundee Rd., Ste. 807 Northbrook, IL 60062-2769 Fax: (847) 498-9299 E-mail: DesignSol@dwcdesignet.com Sharon L. Anderson has more than 20 years experience as a professional interior designer in both commercial and residential design. She has taught at numerous colleges throughout California and currently is an educator at Moorpark college in southern California. She is a published author and frequent public speaker.

More Articles by Sharon L. Anderson  More Design Solutions HOW TO INSTALL CORD STOPS To correctly position cord stops, lower the blind to the maximum length it will be used. Lock cords into position at the headrail. Grasp one pull cord and create a loop just below the headrail. Slide the cord stop onto loop. Holding the cord stop one to two inches below the headrail, insert the end of the pull cord through the loop to make a knot around the cord stop. Make sure the cord stop is one to two inches below the headrail. Tighten the knot by pulling firmly on the pull cord. Repeat for each pull cord.