SelectBlinds.com Responds to WCMA’s June 29 Statement Regarding Timeline to Update Window Covering Safety Standard
SelectBlinds.com Stands Firm that Cordless is Feasible and Only
Safe Option
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#GoCordless–SelectBlinds.com, a leading online retailer of 100 percent cordless
custom window coverings, today responded to the Window Covering
Manufacturers Association’s June 29, 2016, statement
announcing the timeline to update the window covering safety standard.
The statement discussed that in the window covering industry there are
technological advances, innovation, and new product development “that
will allow WCMA to revise the standard using new approaches that will
effectively address the risk posed to young children by window coverings
with accessible cords.”
WCMA’s statement goes on to say, “We are also confident that the
performance standard created by such an approach will result in the vast
majority of window products sold in the U.S. being cordless or having
inaccessible cords.”
SelectBlinds.com Says Cordless or No Accessible Cords Period
According to Al Silverberg, SelectBlinds.com’s co-founder and CEO, while
the WCMA’s statement is encouraging that improvement is on the horizon,
WCMA’s effort falls short if the organization only plans to address some
and not all of the window products sold in the United States. Silverberg
also notes there is no mention of consumer education.
“Historically, the window covering industry has proven time and time
again to lack the ability to effectively police itself as evident by the
needless cord-related window covering deaths and injuries of hundreds of
children,” Silverberg said. “There is only one, simple option to
consider for an updated window covering safety standard and that is
cordless or no accessible cords. I believe WCMA should make a standard
that effective January 1, 2018, window coverings sold in the USA must
have no accessible cords. It shouldn’t take months and multiple options
to decide the updated standard.”
Silverberg testified in June before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), including Chairman Elliot Kaye, requesting CPSC
consider issuing a mandate for window covering products to be cord free
by January 1, 2018. He reinforced that the time for self-regulation had
passed, that the industry is capable of solving the issue, and that
consumer education around the topic is necessary.
“The window covering industry has a key opportunity to completely
transform a broken industry and to prevent needless deaths and permanent
injuries. Let’s get it right this time as the updated safety standard is
being formulated,” Silverberg said. “We at SelectBlinds.com are here to
collaborate on an updated safety standard and can leverage our
experiences of going cordless.”
SelectBlinds.com made the decision to go cordless last year and
transitioned the company’s stock and custom product offerings by March
31, 2016, becoming the first to do so in the custom window covering
industry.
More than 20 children a year in the United States, on average, are
injured or killed by a window covering cord, according to statistics
maintained by Parents
for Window Blind Safety (PFWBS). SelectBlinds.com is asking
consumers and the industry to join them in the #GoCordless Movement to
help prevent needless deaths and injuries by creating safer living
environments. Go to www.selectblinds.com/gocordless
for more information or to share on social channels.
In addition, SelectBlinds.com
is partnering with PFWBS for the Project
Cordless giveaway to upgrade an entire home, apartment, military
housing unit or daycare facility with custom cordless window coverings
at no charge each month. Go to www.selectblinds.com/gocordless.html#ProjectCordless
to submit a 30-second video to nominate your friend, yourself, colleague
or family member for Project Cordless.
About SelectBlinds.com
Phoenix-based SelectBlinds.com,
a subsidiary of parent company SelectShops.com, is a leading online
provider of custom window coverings. Established in 2003, the company
has more than 1 million customers. SelectBlinds.com is dedicated to
offering blinds and shades with all the safety and efficiency features
consumers need at competitive prices. All products sold by
SelectBlinds.com come with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. With a focus
on safety and style, the company became the first custom window covering
provider to go 100 percent cordless on March 31, 2016. The company was
recently recognized by Harvard University/Harvard Business School with
the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award for working to transform the
window covering industry to cordless.
Contacts
SelectBlinds.com
Lisa Hosman, 480-302-5167
lisa.hosman@selectshops.com
or
Willow
St. Agency for SelectBlinds.com
Sheri D. Smith, 214-454-3969
ssmith@willowstagency.com
