According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 12 children, 10 years old and younger, die each year, and more than 4,000 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for window fall-related injuries.
Window Guards
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 12 children, 10 years old and younger, die each year, and more than 4,000 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for window fall-related injuries. To date, the CPSC knows of 120 window-fall-related deaths to children since 1990.
"Whether you live in a high rise or a single family home, a window guard can help prevent a tragedy," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Don't depend on a screen alone to keep children safe."
Window guards screw into the side of a window frame and have bars no more than 4 inches apart. They are sold in different sizes for various size windows and adjust for width. Guards must meet requirements for spacing and strength and those that allow for escape in case of emergencies must be difficult for very young children to open.
Consumers can also purchase window stops, which can be added to the window frame to prevent the window from opening more than 4 inches. Some new windows come with window stops already installed.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for preventing window falls are:
- Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows. (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.)
- Guards should be installed in children's bedrooms, parents' bedroom, and other rooms where young children spend time.
- Or, install window stops that permit windows to open no 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.
- Keep furniture away from windows, to discourage children from climbing near windows.
- Look for guards that have bars no more than 4 inches apart.
|
