
Windows are a feature found in every home, and while they are incredibly common, windows can also be very dangerous for children.
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 and more people are looking to let fresh air into their homes.
“Kids are naturally curious, and that curiosity can become dangerous when it is paired with windows,” says Pediatric Chief Resident Julia Vandenheuvel, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. “The most common injuries associated with window-related accidents include abrasions, cuts and bruises. 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.”
“Over the past five years, we’ve cared for 44 children who have fallen from windows.” – Julia Vandenheuvel, MD