National Safety Council Shares Eight Tips for Window Safety Week

As spring arrives, the Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council encourages parents and caregivers to recognize the importance of practicing window safety year-round. Window Safety Week is observed April 1-7. However, open windows can be dangerous any time of year for young children who are not properly supervised.

Each year, the Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council takes the first full week in April to educate about the importance of practicing window safety year-round.

Falls from a window can result in serious injury or death and pose a dangerous threat for children. Every year, about eight children under age five die from falling out a window, and more than 3,300 are injured seriously enough to go to the hospital.

“It only takes seconds for a preventable window fall to occur,” says Becky Turpin, director of home and community safety for the National Safety Council. “To avoid these tragedies, it is important for parents and caregivers to take steps to prevent falls.”

To protect children, the Window Safety Task Force offers the following tips:

• When young children are around, keep windows closed and locked.
• When opening a window for ventilation, use those located out of a child’s reach.
• Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent young children from climbing and gaining access to an open window.
• Don’t allow children to jump on beds or other furniture to help reduce potential falls.
• Don’t rely on insect screens to prevent a window fall. Insect screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children inside the building.
• Supervise children to keep child’s play away from windows, balconies or patio doors.
• Install ASTM F2090 compliant devices designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire or other emergency) to help prevent a fall.
• Teach your child how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency, such as a fire.

Visit the Window Safety Task Force website, as well as the window safety sections of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) websites to learn more.