Cribs and furniture should not be placed near a window.
Even if you have child guards on the windows, young children are tempted to investigate cords dangling from window treatments. Since young children climb, never put a chair or other object near a window with a dangling cord.

Keep all cords out of reach from small children and pets. Place the cords on hooks (called cleats) to keep the cords from being in harm's way. It is best not to wrap them around the cleat, as this causes the cords to twist. Twisting causes the cords to get caught in the headrail, making the shade hard to keep straight and to stop where you want it to.

Eliminate loops on two-corded horizontal blinds.
Cut the cord above the end tassel (the item that looks like a small wooden or plastic thimble). Remove the equalizer buckle, then add new tassels for each cord-or replace it with a safety break-away tassel. The CPSC urges you NOT to retie the cords in a knot, as that will only recreate a new loop.

Keep continuous looping drapery cords anchored near the floor, to keep the cords taut.

Only buy window blinds and shades that already have these safety features built-in. If you already own some that do not, the simplest and quickest solution is to use cord cleats.

Want some FREE cleats or break-away safety tassels?

We've given away thousands and would be happy to send you either 2 break-away tassels or 2 cleats at no cost other than a stamp.

Just mail us a stamped self-addressed envelope with a minimum of 43 cents postage if you're in the United States. More if you're outside the US. Write the word "tassel" or "cleat" on the return envelope (NOT on your envelope to us). Mail it to: No Brainer Blinds and Shades, Three Brainer Tower, 4660 Beechnut, Houston, TX 77096.

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Can't wait to get your tassels?
You can use our online Order Form to order them electronically. We have to charge for postage, the envelope, and handling: $1.45 per order, but you save time and get them faster. Plus, we'll credit you the entire amount towards any purchase with us, for up to 6 months from when you submit the form.

Your email and snail mail addresses will absolutely remain strictly confidential! You can always visit our online order form.

Jay Steinfeld is the Founder and President of No Brainer Blinds and Shades, the leading on-line source for window blinds and shades. It's where buying window blinds and shades REALLY IS a no-brainer. Visit the No Brainer Blinds web site at http://www.nobrainerblinds.com. Email Jay at jay@nobrainerblinds.com or call toll free 1-888-4NO-BRAINER.