Window Safety for Children
As spring arrives, you naturally want to open your windows and let in fresh air. If you have young children in your home, take a moment to make sure the open window doesn’t pose a danger.
According to a study by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Injury and Research Policy, every year in the US, falls from windows injure about 5,100 children. More than 3,300 are under age of five. Researchers also suggest that most could be prevented with simple window safety measures.
No Precaution Or Device Is A Substitute For Close Supervision
Tips To Help Protect Children From Window Falls
- Keep windows closed and locked when not in use.
- Keep window opening control devices (see more info below) securely engaged unless needed for use in an emergency.
- If you open windows for ventilation, choose windows not easily reached by children. For example, open the upper sash of a double hung window. When not in use, keep windows closed and locked.
- Don’t place furniture such as sofas, beds or bookcases under windows.
- Don’t rely on insect screens to prevent falls — 83 percent of falls are from screened windows.
- Landscaping can provide a cushion to break falls should they occur. Consider landscaping beneath windows with wood chips, shrubs or other soft surfaces.
Window Safety Features
Tempered Glass
Tempered (or safety) glass is used in applications where standard glass could pose a potential danger. Tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard glass and does not break into sharp shards, but shatters into small oval-shaped pebbles when broken. Tempered glass is typically used on large glass panels like full view doors, storm doors and large windows that are installed less than 18″ from the floor.
Opening Control Devices
Opening control devices limit the window opening to help prevent falls from the window. The devices feature a release button to open the window fully.
Ask your Door Store and Windows design expert to show you how these features work.