Keep Your Child Safe With These Window Safety Tips

When it comes to must-have features for a home, windows are at the top of the list. They are also one of the top five hidden hazards in a home and particularly dangerous for children.

“Kids are naturally curious, and that curiosity can become dangerous when it is paired with windows,” says pediatric emergency medicine physician Teresa Romano, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, approximately eight children under age 5 die and more than 3,300 are seriously injured from falling out of windows. Research has shown that many of these falls take place in spring and summer when the weather is nicer out and more people are looking to let fresh air into their homes.

“The most common injuries associated with window-related accidents include abrasions, cuts and bruises,” Dr. Romano says. “However, more serious injuries like fractures, concussions and internal head injuries are frequently seen as well. We find that falls from higher up are associated with more serious injuries, and unfortunately, some cause death.”

Overall window safety

If there are young children in a house, it is best to keep all windows locked and closed.

However, there are times when opening a window can’t be avoided (especially during hotter weather). If you need to open a window and there is a child nearby, open ones that are completely out of their reach.

Furniture

Children love climbing things, so try not to position furniture under windows.

Window screens

While screens can help keep bugs out of your home, they don’t offer protection against falls and related injuries.

Instead of taking the chance, it’s best to follow the first tip above – only open windows that are out-of-reach for small children.

Safety devices

If possible, only open the top of the window and avoid opening the bottom portion of a window. If the window only opens from the bottom, there are a few safety devices that can be installed on windows to help prevent falls.

Window stops can be used to keep a window from opening past a certain point – typically no more than 4 inches, which is especially helpful for windows higher than 6 feet from the ground.

Window guards are typically either metal or aluminum bars that cover the window’s opening completely to provide an extra layer of protection (while letting fresh air in). If you decide to install window guards, it is best to go with ones that have quick-release mechanisms in case of a fire or other emergency.

Beware of window cords

Loose or looped window covering cords pose a strangulation risk to children with the Consumer Product Safety Commission reporting that about eight children die each year after becoming entangled in a window covering cord. You can prevent this by only using cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords in homes with young children.

Supervised play

Another important way to promote window safety in your home is talking to your children about being safe around windows and making sure they don’t play on balconies, fire escapes or roofs. It’s also a good idea to educate older children on the dangers that come with climbing out or jumping from windows.

The clinicians at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital are no strangers to injuries caused by falls from windows, and they have vast experience quickly evaluating and treating these cases.

“Over the years, we have cared for children who have fallen from windows with the injuries sustained from the falls ranging from minor to severe,” Dr. Romano says.

If a child who has fallen 10 feet or more comes to the Children’s Hospital’s Breidegam Family Children’s ER, they are seen quickly by a multidisciplinary team who provides comprehensive evaluation and care.

“At Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, providing care to an injured child with the goal of reducing injury-related disability or death is our top priority,” Dr. Romano says. “However, it’s important to know that while we are here to provide care if the unthinkable happens, there are small steps that can be taken at home to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place.”