Open windows pose a safety risk to young children who may push out screens and fall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned parents of accidents involving children under five falling from windows, which account for one-third of reported fatalities. Homeowners should carefully check windows and follow safety tips like installing window stops, guards, removing furniture near windows, and using cord wraps on blinds to prevent access and injuries to children.
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3.22 window fall prevention
1. Unfortunately open windows on an upper story of a building provide a real threat to the safety of
young children. Kids can be drawn to an open window and push the screen out leading to a fall.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently issued a warning to all parents and caregivers
because of the frequent occurrence of such accidents. Children younger than five years old
account for approximately one-third of the reported fatalities.
The windows of your home should be checked very carefully. To help prevent injuries and
tragedies we recommend the following safety tips:
Never depend on screens to keep children from falling. They can be dislodged.
Move furniture away from windows so that children cannot climb up to a window.
Install Window Stops so that windows cannot be opened more than 4 inches.
Install Window Guards or bars to prevent access. These have an emergency release for
emergency exit.
If you have Double Hung windows, open them from the top whenever possible.
Window Blinds and Drapery cords should be wound up in Cord Wraps and placed high
out of a child's reach. Entanglement in cords can cause strangulation or other harm.
Remove the handles for casement and crank-out windows so that young kids cannot
open those.