Are Pull Chain Window Shades A Bad Idea?

While dressing window coverings, there are plenty of factors to consider, and selecting the right lift mechanism is one of them. There are multiple ways of raising and lowering window shades including standard cord lift, pull chain, cordless, and motorized function. A window treatment lift system refers to a window blind or shade that can be pulled up and down in order to get diffused natural light and fresh air while having a great outdoor view. Each of these lift options plays a significant role in our home decor and you can choose the one based on your requirements. Irrespective of work functionality and reliability, we look for aesthetic beauty and that’s why many consumers opt for pull chain window shades because of their beaded chain appeal. Pulling the lift chain up or down will adjust the privacy shades as per your desired location, giving you complete access to control over natural light and privacy.

Pull chain window shades are perfect for wide and tall windows and the lift option can easily hold the heavyweight of your coverings while making them operable smoothly and efficiently. Though this chain mechanism is highly functional and gives you the operation smoothness but they are a big ‘No’ when you have little ones at home. No matter what type of window blind or shade you are planning for, we do not recommend this mechanism to outfit your windows especially when you are looking for a safer choice to upgrade the windows. Kids and pets are playful by nature and unknowingly pulling the chain down can create strangulation hazards and they can easily get tangled in the free-standing loops.

Why Pull Chain Window Shades Are Not Recommended

Children and pull chain window solutions do not mix with each other. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), these chains are one of the greatest hidden hazards in American homes. In the U.S., a child dies from strangulation every two weeks. Even one recent study has found that from 1990 to 2015 there were almost 17,000 injuries because of window treatments. While playing or doing some activity, your children can easily get entangled and can die because of choking. Even pulling the chains can let your blinds fall down which tends to a deathly risk. So, it’s always better to opt for cordless or motorized lift mechanisms instead of pull chains as they prove to be a serious danger to your little ones and pets.

Even the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) declared the safety standards for window coverings and according to it, all pre-made window treatments must be cordless or have inaccessible cords. To enhance the safety level of your house, it’s suggested not to go for any dangling chains or cords that have caused injury and strangulation.
But what happens when you have existing pull chain window coverings? Replacing them with the new one can cost you extra. Well, this horrible situation could be reduced if you take the proper precautions to make the window coverings secure for everyone.
● Keep the pull chain out of the reach as much as possible. Keep away all the furniture or crib away from the window. Make sure that the chains are high enough so that they remain inaccessible to your children.
● Cord cleats are uniquely designed to hold the chains at desired locations. These are installed high on the wall and keep the harm away from the toddlers.

Besides creating safety issues, these pull chain window shades create one more hassle. When someone pulls the chain to raise or lower the shade, it can disturb the spring tension and makes it hard to move the blind. In this way, the blinds stop working and keep you away from enjoying the functional benefits. And the shades may require additional fixing.

Cordless and motorized window shades are built with a no-cord mechanism which gives the windows a clean and clutter-free appeal and the ultimate convenience of operating them. Every time you want to open or close your pull chain shades, you have to get up and operate them using your hand. This can be painful when you have more than one window in one room and you need to access them on a daily basis. On the other hand, motorized shades can adjust every shade in your entire home with the press of a button (or with automation!).

So, on a final note, pull chain window coverings are not a good idea to mount them on the windows especially when the safety of your family members is a major concern. To know more about these window designs, feel free to get in touch with a professional.