child safety

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SHADE SAFETY

Calico is committed to child and pet safety. Understanding that window shades containing cords can pose a home hazard, we have worked with our manufacturing partners over many years to ensure that our shades are made to the highest standards of design and safety.

In 2009 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), working with the industry group Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) announced a plan to improve the manufacturing standards for corded window treatments. These new standards became effective in December 2010 and since then there have been further updates to the standards. Our shades meet all the latest safety standards set jointly by the CPSC and WCMA, including cord length and “cord shrouds” which prevent hazardous loops from forming, as well as multiple warning labels and tags (see example below) to ensure parents understand the potential for harm from corded shades.

These tips from the Window Covering Safety Council will help you evaluate and make changes where needed to enhance the safety of your home:

• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children. Eliminate any dangling cords.
• Make sure that tasseled pull cords are as short as possible.
• Check that cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of inner lift cords.
• Continuous-loop cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be permanently anchored to the floor or wall.
• Replace older corded window blinds, shades and draperies with today’s safer products.
• Use only non-corded window coverings in homes with infants and young children.
• Additional home safety and design tips can be found on the Window Covering Safety Council’s website, along with tips for retrofitting older window coverings. Free retrofit kits are also available on the website or by calling 800.506.4636.