More than 3,300 children Children under 18 go to the emergency room every year for injuries caused by falling from a window. Window falls are most common in July, when temperatures rise and people are more likely to open their windows.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to have air conditioning to keep their rooms cool,” Kevin Borrup, executive director of the Center for Injury Prevention, Office of Community Child Health at Connecticut Children’s, tells Yahoo Life. In some areas of the country, such as northwest pacificAir conditioning is less common than in other parts of the US, leaving homeowners to rely on cross breezes to stay cool indoors.
“But once the windows are open, the risk of young children falling out of the window increases,” says Borrup.
Falling windows, which can happen at home, while visiting family or while traveling, are serious. “Injuries are often to the head and can cause permanent disability or death,” Erin Summa, health promotion program manager at the Center for Child Safety at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, told Yahoo Life. “You don’t need to be constantly worried, but it’s important to know your risk factors and implement proven prevention strategies.”
Many people don’t use security features on their windows or don’t know they can help. A Safe children around the world research found that 70% of parents say they have never used certain safety features on their windows to prevent falls. But it’s not just children who are at risk: pets and even adults can fall from windows, Borrup points out.
So what can you do to prevent window falls? Security experts say these steps can help.
Don’t trust window screens
It’s a big misconception that screens will protect children from falling out of a window, says Summa. “Window screens are designed to keep out insects, not children,” she says. “Very little pressure is needed to remove them – even a child can do it easily.”
Install window protectors
Window guards are specialized devices that screw into the side of the window frame. “They have bars no more than 10 centimeters apart” Gina Duchossoismanager of injury prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and president of the Safe Kids Southeastern PA Coalition, told Yahoo Life.
Window guards create a kind of gate in the window to protect anyone who might fall or lean on it, says Borrup. “Most have quick releases, so if there is some kind of emergency you can take them out and use the window if necessary,” he says.
Use window stops
While window protectors allow you to open the window fully, window stops prevent them from opening more than 4 inches, explains Duchossois. Borrup says you can buy them at most home stores, adding that they get in the way of the display.
The 4-inch gap allows a breeze to pass through, but isn’t big enough for a child to fall through, he says.
Install locks on sliding windows
Children like to touch things, including sliding windows. This is why Duchossois recommends installing locks on sliding windows, if they are not already installed, and using them.
Open the top windows
If you have standard windows and they can be opened from the top, Summa suggests opening them that way rather than from the bottom for added security prevention. “Keep the windows closed if you can,” she adds.
Pay attention to furniture
Children (and pets) can be cunning to gain access to a window when they want. “Consider furniture placement to avoid creating opportunities for little climbers to reach a window,” says Summa. In other words, keep elements such as benches, chairs, dressers, desks and tables away from the windows you plan to open.
Borrup also recommends being mindful of furniture that children might push toward the window, like a lightweight chair or stool.
Teach children not to play near windows – but still watch them closely
Summa suggests teaching children to stay two steps away from windows. However, she emphasizes that parents should not count on this. “Don’t rely on them to always remember and do this,” she says.
That’s why Duchossois says “adequate supervision is key,” adding, “Never leave young children at home unsupervised.” However, supervision is often not enough to prevent children from falling, says Summa. “In most cases, an adult was present at the time of the fall but was unable to prevent it from happening,” she says.
Also talk to your loved ones about window safety
If your child visits grandparents, other family members or friends, Summa recommends checking or asking about the security status of the windows there. “Once you’ve implemented security measures around your home’s windows, don’t forget to also evaluate other places they visit,” she says.
While window falls can and do happen, experts emphasize that they can be prevented. “By practicing supervision and restricting window openings, parents can prevent falls,” says Borrup.
