Tag: safety

Get Both Style and Safety with Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo

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With Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, your family’s safety is Pamela’s top priority.
Budget Blinds adheres to industry child safety standards and offer automated, motorized, and cordless window covering solutions to keep potentially dangerous dangling cords out of your home.
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Cordless shades offer added safety for children while making window operation a breeze.

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Automated shades are an excellent option because of their cordless operation and ability to be programmed to open and close at your preferred time of day. 

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Shutters ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.

Call Pamela Brown at Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo today at 651-351-7620 or visit her website budgetblinds.com/stillwater

 

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Window Coverings That Are Both Stylish and Safe

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When it comes to deciding on the safest choice in window coverings for a home with children or pets, why take chances? Fortunately, with Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, you don’t have to. I offer both stylish and safe cordless window covering solutions that minimize the risk of accidents or injury.
  • Motorized window coverings are easy to operate and eliminate the dangers of dangling cords.
  • Shutters can be used throughout your home to ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.
  • Our shades can be ordered with a cordless or motorized lift, making them ideal for homes with small children.

Design Studio - Roman Shades

Because Your Child’s Safety Shouldn’t Be a Luxury

When it comes to deciding on the safest choice in window coverings for a home with children or pets, why take chances? Fortunately, with Budget Blinds you don’t have to. From cordless child-safe blinds and cordless shades with retractable lifts, to motorized shades, we have the safe solutions that minimize the risk of accidents or injury.

  • Our cord cleat and wand control options for blinds are easy to operate and eliminate the dangers of dangling cords, reducing hazards for kids and pets.
  • Shutters can be used in kids’ rooms and playrooms to ensure optimal privacy and child safety due to their cordless nature.
  • Consider installing window film, especially in kids’ playrooms, as an alternative to those window treatments that may require cords.
  • Our shades, including luxurious pleated shades, can be ordered with a cordless lift or motorized lift, making them an ideal solution for homes with small children.
  • Our decorative window film is an ideal cordless option and lets you select from a wide range of popular designs and character themes that children enjoy.
  • Many of our blinds can be ordered cordless with our cordless Lift & Lock™ or standard cordless lift system.
  • Budget Blinds adheres to the strict guidelines of the Window Covering Safety Council to ensure all of our products meet or exceed all safety requirements.
  • Additionally, all Budget Blinds products meet or exceed the American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products.

HOME AUTOMATION MADE SIMPLE

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With Budget Blinds, I’ve partnered with Lutron®, the worldwide leader in smart home technology.  With Lutron’s whole-home wireless automation, your shades can open and close at the touch of a button, or at a pre-selected time of day or night, giving you effortless control of your window coverings.

Automated shades provide a safer environment for children and pets, due to their cordless nature. Also, programmable features allow you to use heating or cooling only when you need it for maximum energy efficiency.
Make everyday life just a little bit easier, safer, and more secure.

Call me today! I’d be happy to help! 🙂
651-351-7620!

Pamela Brown

NEED HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA’S? – CHECK OUT OUR DESIGN GUIDE!

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Are you stumped on gift ideas this holiday season? What better gift for your family than the gift of safety? What better gift for yourself than beautiful window treatments that save you money on your energy bill? Get all these things with new window treatments from Pamela Brown at Budget Blinds!

Choose Safer Window Coverings

“Going cordless” is a trend across several industries.  But the movement in window coverings is not just about modern style and convenience.  It is an issue of safety for homes with small children.

Some styles of traditional corded window coverings pose a tempting hazard to infants and toddlers who view dangling cords as playthings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least one child dies from window cord strangulation every month, and during that one-month period, at least one more child suffers a near strangulation.

Budget Blinds® recommends cordless treatments for homes where small children or pets live or frequently visit.  Cordless options include:

  • Shutters:Offer a classic and inherently cordless window covering option
  • Motorized shades:Motorized shades can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button using a battery-operated remote control
  • Cordless cellular shades:A sleek and modern option, cordless cellular shades can be easily raised and lowered with one hand

Choose Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Budget Blinds offers a variety of energy-saving window coverings that are not only stylish but will help you save money in the winter AND the summer too (note: efficient treatments help in the summer by to regulating indoor temperatures!)

Cellular and Roman Shades

Cellular shades and Roman shades are the TOP  energy-saving window coverings. Both of these styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.

Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too!

Roman shades are like cellular shades and are one of the most popular windows coverings for energy efficiency. They are stylish and offer plenty of energy-saving qualities. They too come in a variety of colors, prints and textures to add elegance to your home. Due to heavier fabrics, Roman shades can trap in warmth which can save you money on your electric bill as you would ultimately use your heater less and less. Also, like cellular shades, Roman shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control.

So, do I have your attention? Then it’s time to browse our Design Guide below! And don’t forget to place your orders by November 9th to ensure installation before Christmas! Visit www.budgetblinds.com/stillwater to book your appointment today!

Budget Blinds Design Guide

7 TIPS FOR A SAFER HOME

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The Window Covering Manufacturers Association announces historic new window covering safety standard, strengthening window covering safety:

“Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) announced today the approval of a new window covering safety standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that will require a vast majority of window covering products sold in the United States and Canada to be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords.  The new safety standard, ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018, strengthens window-covering safety by requiring that all stock products sold in stores and online—which account for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S. and Canada—to be cordless or have inaccessible cords.

There are two unwritten rules in the parent-child relationship: Children will play with and around things they are not supposed to, and parents must do their best to keep their children from getting into danger.

As a help to parents, Budget Blinds encourages parents to look for hidden hazards around window areas, particularly the window cords.

While nothing can replace the careful watch of a loving parent or caregiver, we encourage parents of infants and toddlers to opt for cordless or motorized treatments to eliminate the hazards posed by dangling window cords.

Corded window treatments can pose entanglement and strangulation hazard to small children and pets. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has received reports of nearly 200 strangulation deaths involving window covering cords and chains from 1991-2000. Nearly 10 percent of these deaths involved the inner cords, which run through horizontal blinds.

Budget Blinds encourages new parents to replace window treatments featuring looped cords or treatments manufactured before 2001 with cordless or motorized options to minimize strangulation hazards.

Window treatments manufactured after 2001 have updated safety features like breakaway tassels and inner cord stops.

 

Budget Blinds offers these seven tips to families with young children:

  1. Keep all cords out of reach from small children and pets.
  2. If your window treatments were purchased before 2001, or you don’t know when they were purchased, it’s a good idea to replace them with updated treatments with enhanced safety features, such as: breakaway tassels, inner-cord stops, retractable pull cords, cordless operation and motorization.
  3. If you move to a new home, ask when the window treatments were purchased and look for safety features like breakaway tassels, cord cleats and cordless operation.
  4. Secure all pull cords out of reach by using a permanent cord cleat.
  5. Retrofit kits are available to enhance the safety of looped pull cord window treatments.
  6. Place cribs and other low-standing furniture (beds, bookshelves, toy boxes, chairs, etc.) away from windows to prevent young ones from accidentally tumbling from windows.
  7. Install window guards. Don’t rely on screens designed to keep bugs out to keep children and pets in.

I offer consumers convenient, free in-home consultations, so busy parents-to-be need not shop from store to store to find the right cordless or motorized window treatments. 

Parents don’t have to sacrifice style for safety! We have a variety of options for families to consider.

Thank you,

Pamela Brown

 

 

 

SAFE AT HOME

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“There are many items in our homes that can become a hazard to children or pets, including window coverings. As a parent, I understand your concerns and have made window coverings safety a top priority. It is our duty and honor to provide our customers with safety-conscious products that meet today’s standards. We remain current on the latest safety products and features so that we can bring those innovations to you. From cordless products that protect children from potentially harmful dangling cords to security-grade window film that protects your home during destructive weather, Budget Blinds is your source for window coverings that keep you and your family Safe At Home.”

Cordless Operation
The safest window coverings for children are cordless products. They eliminate the use of potentially hazardous dangling cords.

Cordless Lift System
This innovative feature allows you to raise and lower window coverings easily with one hand. Eliminating the need for lift cords provides added safety and a cleaner look.

Motorization
Using a battery-operated remote control, you can raise, lower, tilt or open and close your window coverings at the touch of a button. No hard wiring required.

Spring-assist Clutch
Raise and lower window shades without the use of common cords with this built-in function.

Sliding Track System
Perfect for vertical products with side-to-side openings and sliding glass doors, sliding track systems operate without the use of dangling cords or chains.

Shutters
Shutters are a cord-free product, making it a great option for homes with small children.
Cord Control
You can live safely with window cords. Be sure to add these cord control features to all products with cords.

Break-away Tassels and Cord Stops
Designed to break apart under minimal pressure, these special tassels and cord stops can be a lifesaver should a child or pet become entangled in the cord.

Continuous Cord Loop System
Dangling cords are kept taut and under control to help prevent a child from becoming entangled.

Window coverings not only enhance the look of your windows and provide privacy, they also enhance your life.

  • 24/7 light control and sound absorption to facilitate napping and sleep
  • Cut glare to make rooms more livable
  • UV-blocking products keep harsh rays at bay
  • Window coverings keep your home energy efficient by providing a layer of insulation

Call or email me today to schedule your free consultation, mention this blog and receive a FREE CORDLESS UPGRADE!

-Pamela Brown

 

Going Cordless for Child Safety

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Budget Blinds® Reminds Parents that Window Safety is a Critical Consideration

“Going cordless” is a trend across several industries.  But the movement in window coverings is not just about modern style and convenience.  It is an issue of safety for homes with small children.  Budget Blinds® wants to help parents understand the options available that promote safety and consumer education.

Some styles of traditional corded window coverings pose a tempting hazard to infants and toddlers who view dangling cords as playthings.  Each year, entanglement by window cords is a serious danger that can cause injury to small children or maybe even death.

While accidents have decreased with changes in industry safety standards, there is still work to be done in spreading awareness.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least one child dies from window cord strangulation every month, and during that one-month period, at least one more child suffers a near strangulation.

There are simple yet critical steps parents can take to increase the safety in their homes.

Choose Safer Window Coverings

Budget Blinds® recommends cordless treatments for homes where small children or pets live or frequently visit.  Cordless options include:

  • Shutters: Offer a classic and inherently cordless window covering option
  • Motorized shades: Motorized shades can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button using a battery-operated remote control
  • Cordless cellular shades: A sleek and modern option, cordless cellular shades can be easily raised and lowered with one hand

 

Add Safety Features to Existing Cords

Existing corded window coverings can be retrofitted with safety features such as:

  • Spring assisted clutches: Can be raised and lowered without the use of cords
  • Sliding panel track systems: For vertical products with side to side openings
  • Break-away tassels: Designed to pull apart under minimal pressure
  • Cord stops: For horizontal window coverings that restrict how far the internal ladder cords can be pulled from the blind
  • Cord cleats: Safely tie dangerous cords out of your children’s reach

 

Place Furniture with Safety in Mind

Be mindful of where furniture is placed within a child’s bedroom or playroom.  Moving furniture, such as cribs, changing tables, toy chests and chairs away from the window area prevents access to window coverings. This also minimizes the risk of accidentally falling from the window should the child crawl up and over the wrong end. In the event that the glass breaks, positioning furniture away from the window reduces the risk of injury from broken glass.

If furniture must be placed near a window, consider adding security film, which helps maintain the integrity of windowpanes during a storm or earthquake, and from the impact of flying objects such as wind-driven tree limbs or baseballs from the neighborhood game.

 

Additional Safety Tips

Window safety is just one of many considerations when decorating a home with small children.  For more information and tips on whole home safety, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes.

 

-Pamela Brown

Introducing: A Simple. Reliable. Smart Home.

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Imagine coming home after a long day at work to find your home warmly lit. The shades have been drawn and the temperature is perfect, just how you like it. Your home has prepared itself for you so you can immediately start enjoying a relaxing evening. All you had to do is arrive.

Home automation technology allows you to control things like lighting, temperature, window coverings and other home functions all with the touch of a button. This technology is a luxury and until recently, it has not been a luxury the average home owner could afford.

“Budget Blinds® and Lutron® has made home automation affordable and easy to use,” said Pamela Brown, owner of Budget Blinds serving Stillwater for the past 11+ years. “Normally when you start to look at home automation with window coverings for most homeowners it’s not really an affordable option; now it is.”

Lutron’s Smart Home is a simple home automation system that allows you to control and schedule your window coverings, lighting and thermostat all through a touch of a button. You can control it with a remote or wall control, or through the Smart Home application on your smart device. If you have an iPhone, you can control the system with voice commands. “Before I would chuckle when a customer would ask me for shades that will close when you verbally command to, but now its here! Just ask your friend, Siri to draw the window shades or turn dim the lights.” The system is programmed to recognize your smart device as you approach your home and it will set your preferred home ambience before you even walk through the door.

“Budget Blinds works with both the natural and artificial lighting part of the Smart Home system and having automated window coverings will make you never want to live without them,” said Brown. “You can set your window coverings to your time zone so they will rise and lower according to the daylight hours. People use this system to set their shades to come up at a certain time in the morning and use the natural light to wake them instead of an obtrusive alarm.”

Having smart shades can also enhance your home’s security. You can set them to rise and lower at appropriate times when you are on vacation, making it appear as though someone is at home. Or, operate them from any part of the world at any time you wish!

The Lutron cellular and roller shades are cordless, making them safe for children and pets. They’re very energy efficient and available in a wide variety of materials colors. The shades are operated by a battery that lasts up to five years and is nearly soundless. You will barely hear that your window coverings are moving. Automated shades will be set to move at the same speed so all of your window coverings lower or rise evenly and rest at the same level.

“These features are so luxurious to have in your home. I compare it to having a smart phone. We didn’t have smart phones years ago and didn’t know what we were missing, but now that we have them and use them so much we see how the technology benefits our daily lives and we can’t imagine going back to not having them.” Said Brown. “Home automation is the same thing. It’s not something you think you need at first but once you have it life at home feels so pleasant and you’ll be so grateful you did it.”

The Lutron technology leads the industry. Not only was the company the first to invent the light dimmer in the late 1950s, they have invested hundreds of lighting control devices and systems and have led innovations in window shade technology using wireless and wired systems to control both daylight and electric light.

“People love this technology. It is so accessible, convenient, easy to use and can really add value to your home life,” shared Pamela.

For more information on the Budget Blinds and Lutron Smart Home integrated home automation system, contact Budget Blinds in Stillwater at www.budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

Hurry! As Pamela is currently having a 45% off everything sale til the end of September!

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MOTORIZED BLINDS

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You’ve been hearing about them everywhere lately, appliances going cordless. Vacuums, computer accessories, and more! But what, specifically is the benefit of motorized blinds? Sure, they provide elegance and a certain sophistication to your living space, but are they worth the hype? The answer is YES!

Motorized shades powered by Somfy® are ideal for family rooms, playrooms, kids rooms, and virtually any room in your home. With advances in technology and increased demand for smart and connected living, excitement about motorized blinds has been steadily rising. They provide convenience, safety, and energy efficiency!

First, let’s talk about convenience. Motorized blinds allow you to automate a repetitive task with the touch of a button, located right on your smart phone!

The next benefit is safety. As any new parent knows, cords are dangerous! Most motorized blinds are cordless which takes the danger of choking or accidental strangulation off your mind. Remember, your four-legged fur-babies are susceptible to this as well. The final touch point for today is the benefit of going green.

Maximize your home’s energy efficiency with motorized blinds. According to SomfySystems website, “It may feel counterintuitive to draw the shades on a gorgeous summer afternoon. After all, you suffered through winter just begging for the sun to come out. However, what is actually counterintuitive is to run the air-conditioning or fan at full blast at the same time that you are allowing the sun to stream into your home. Similarly, in the winter, leverage the heat of the sun to warm your home and you may find yourself very happy with the savings! Your motorized blinds provide you with a quick and convenient way to save energy and money, all while creating a more pleasant home environment. Better yet, if you use a sensor or timer with your motorized blinds, you can automate your blinds to do this all for you, so you don’t even have to think about it.”

Explore the many benefits for yourself today! Call Budget Blinds serving Stillwater at 651-351-7620 to schedule your free in-home consultation and I will help you determine which type of motorized blinds make the perfect choice for your home!

 

Cheers!