Wednesday, July 29, 2026 — Wholesale Blind Factory
A window covering is child and pet safe when it has no accessible dangling cords, uses a cordless or motorized lift, has any exposed cords fully tensioned or enclosed, and is mounted securely enough that a curious toddler or cat can't pull it down. If you have kids under 6 or pets who like to jump on windowsills, this checklist will tell you exactly what to look for and fix.
Cords are the main hazard. Loose, looped, or dangling pull cords and inner lift cords are a strangulation risk for young children and a chewing/entanglement risk for cats and dogs. A safe product removes the cord entirely (cordless lift), replaces it with a remote or app (motorized), or secures it so it can never form a loop (continuous-loop systems with a tensioner, or cord cleats mounted high on the wall).
Beyond cords, look at the fabric and finish. GreenGuard® certified products are tested for low chemical emissions, which matters if you have a baby who spends time near a window or a pet that chews on fabric edges. Mounting hardware matters too — brackets need to hold firm against a determined cat, not just a light tug.
As a rule of thumb, cordless is always safer than corded, and motorized is the most hands-off safe option because there's no cord at all to manage.
All of these are available through Wholesale Blind Factory's motorized line, powered by Somfy, which pairs with a remote, app, or existing smart-home system.
Walk through every room with a window covering and check these four things:
If anything looks damaged, worn, or was installed before current safety standards, it's worth a professional look rather than guessing. Our repair service covers most brands, including roller, faux wood, cellular, and vertical products.
Cats and dogs create a different set of risks than kids. A cat that jumps onto a windowsill can get tangled in a loose cord, chew through a fabric loop, or claw and eventually pull down a poorly mounted blind. Dogs that lunge at the window when they see something outside put stress on brackets and slats.
Yes — motorized blinds remove the cord hazard completely, since lift and tilt are controlled by remote, wall switch, or app instead of a physical cord. That's the single biggest safety upgrade available for homes with young kids or pets, and it also means no cord for anyone to snag while carrying a child or a laundry basket past the window. Motorized isn't required in every room, but it's worth prioritizing in nurseries, playrooms, and any window a pet has easy access to.
Health Canada regulates corded window coverings sold in Canada, requiring cord safety devices such as tensioners, cleats, or inaccessible cord designs on new products. If you're buying new blinds or shades today, any reputable manufacturer's corded products should already meet these requirements — but it's still worth confirming tensioners are actually installed, not just included in the box.
If you're not sure what you're working with, book a free in-home consultation. We'll walk your home, flag anything that needs a cleat, tensioner, or cordless upgrade, and quote cordless or motorized options room by room. Call (604) 942-4201 or browse cordless and motorized styles at /shop.
Yes. A tensioner reduces risk on a corded product, but cordless removes the hazard entirely since there's no cord to loop, fray, or come loose from its mount. For nurseries and playrooms, cordless or motorized is the safer default.
Sometimes. Installing a cord cleat and winding cords up out of reach helps, and a missing tensioner can often be added. For older or worn products, a professional check through our repair service is a safer bet than a DIY fix.
Yes. Motorized lifts remove the cord and reduce how much a cat can grab, chew, or tangle. Pair a motorized shade with a securely mounted bracket and it holds up well even on a windowsill your cat visits often.
Yes. Free safety cleats are included with all horizontal, roller, and vertical blind orders. If you're missing one on an existing installation, ask us about getting it added during a consultation or repair visit.