According to a 2010 news release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about eight young children die each year after falling from windows. The CPSC also states that more than 3,000 kids are taken to emergency rooms each year after falls from windows. Other young children have died as a result of getting tangled up in window blind cords. Learning about window safety for kids can help prevent harmful accidents.
Open at the Top
If you want to let fresh air into your house and you have a young child, a simple safety precaution you can take is opening your windows at the top. It is much more difficult for a child to get out of a window if the open space is at the top instead of the bottom. However, this may not be an option for some parents because not all windows can be opened from the top.
Window Guards
A window guard is a safety device that can prevent your child from falling out of the window. In some homes, when the windows are open, screens are the only things separating children from the outside. However, screens can easily pop out of windows and they will not prevent children from falling. A steel window guard can be purchased at your local hardware store and it is not difficult to install. The guard is like a fence or gate on your window. Window guards also have release mechanisms so that adults can quickly remove the devices in case of a fire emergency.
Window Stoppers
Another way to prevent your child from falling out of a window is to use a window stopper. A stopper can allow you to open the window a few inches, but prevent your child from opening it any further. The stoppers should be wedged in the window frames firmly so that your child cannot remove them. Window stoppers can also prevent intruders from entering your home from the outside when your windows are not locked.
Furniture
Toddlers sometimes see furniture as a way to get from point A to point B. If your furniture is near a window, then your child may be able to climb on it to get to the window. Moving furniture away from windows can help keep your child safe.
Window Coverings
In addition to taking precautions to prevent your child from falling out a window, you may also need to ensure that your window coverings are safe. Cords on blinds and shades can be potentially fatal to your child. Children can get cords wrapped around their necks and accidentally strangle themselves. Cordless window coverings are a much safer option for homes with young children.
Supervision
Despite all of your safety precautions, unexpected accidents can happen. It is important to remember that young children need to be under the constant supervision of adults in order to help keep them safe.
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