Window falls a preventable risk to young children

A sampling of news sources highlights some recent cases in which children were killed or injured falling from windows. In Rockland County, New York, a 15-month-old girl fell from a second floor window but escaped serious harm when her fall was cushioned by shrubbery. In Ontario, Canada, the coroner's office is considering an inquest after 10 children fell from windows or balconies this year. And this week in Seattle, the Harborview Medical Center is initiating a two-year study on how best to prevent window falls.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nine children die and 3,700 children are injured each year from window falls. Most of the deaths and injuries occur in children younger than five. Given the ongoing nature of this problem, Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, believes information on window safety bears repeating.   

In the 1970s, New York City launched a landmark program called  “Children Can’t Fly” that required homeowners and landlords to install window guards in homes with small children. The program decreased hospitalizations for  window falls by 96 percent and has been used as a model for other cities. In Boston, there was an 83 percent decrease in child fall hospitalizations between 1993 and 1995 after that  city implemented a similar program.

Window falls are not just a problem for urban dwelling residents of  high-rise buildings. Even falling from a first floor window can harm a very young child. Fortunately, most window falls can be prevented by taking the appropriate safety measures in homes were small children live or visit.

The CPSC recommends the following:

• Install window guards. For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire. For windows on the 7th floor and above, permanent window guards can be installed.
• Install guards in the bedrooms of children and parents as well as in any other room where young children spend time.
• Another option is to install window stops that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches.
• Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
  
• Whenever possible, open windows from the top -- not the bottom.
• Children love to climb so keep furniture away from windows to discourage them from climbing near windows.
• Properly supervise children.
• Be especially cautious during the warmer months when windows are more likely to be open.

 

Comments

[s dutcher]

Where does one find window guards? Is there such a thing for sliding windows?