Protect Your Children From Falling From Windows

More than 3.5 million children each year are treated in emergency departments across the country for injuries in their homes. This statistic is from Safe Kids Worldwide. Many of those incidents could have been prevented if steps to protect would have been taken. More than 3,000 of those injuries are result of unsafe windows and doors. Falls from windows that were not locked or protected in another manner cause many injuries.

Open or unlocked windows are potential fall risk to children. An average of 8 children age five and under die from falling out of windows not properly protected each year. A few steps you can take to prevent injuries from falling from windows include:

• move furniture away from windows and balconies. Furniture such as beds, couches and other furniture makes it easier to get higher and closer to a window

•  Double hung windows should be open from the top. It only takes a few inches for a child to fall from an open window. Window screens will not stop a child from falling out of a window as every year many children fall from open windows with screens. 
• Window guards with horizontal bars that are no more than 4 inches apart and screw into the sides of a window frame are great help to prevent a child from reaching or climbing through an open window. 

• If the worst was to happen planting grass and / or shrubbery around your home can help to protect the impact if a child was to fall

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