Window Safety: Have a Safe Summer

Photo: maskingtaped

Opening windows may be a simple way to get some fresh air, but be careful if you live with small children or pets. A fall from an open window can have tragic consequences. Height isn’t necessarily an issue; a fall from a ground story window can seriously injure or kill an infant.

 

Children and Window Safety

 

Teach children to never play around windows, even if the window is closed. By making this rule a habit, you reduce the risk of accidents.

 

Smaller children don’t always pay attention to restrictions, of course, and infants are insatiably curious. Always supervise children around open windows, even if the window is only open a few inches. Keep furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing up to the window.

 

Never place beds and cribs under windows. Infants who can pull themselves up using the side of cribs may be able to reach the window. This restriction includes your own bed – adult beds have more height than kids’ beds, and a child who climbs onto an adult bed could access an open window.

 

Dangers Around the Window

 

Window screening is designed for ventilation and to keep bugs out of the home. Screening is not designed with children’s safety in mind and will tear or pop out of their frames under a child’s weight.

 

Window blinds and their cords are a strangulation hazard for young children. If you have window blinds, be sure the cord is well out of a child’s reach and consider replacing corded blinds with safer window treatments.

 

If you have casement windows, remove the crank handle to keep the window closed. When installing new windows, choose windows that open from the top rather than the bottom.

 

You can buy window guards to protect children from falls; although, windows guards are no substitute for parental supervision. Choose guards which adults can open quickly in case of fire or other disaster.

 

Pets and Windows

 

Open windows also offer dangers to pets. Cats are especially vulnerable, as people assume their pet is agile enough to land on its feet. In fact, even a two-story fall can kill a cat.

 

A popular myth claims cats have more chance of surviving high rise falls because they have time to adjust for the landing. Most cats who fall from high rise windows suffer severe injury or death. Such falls are so common veterinarians have a name for them: High Rise Syndrome.

 

Screens can prevent small animals from falling, but they won’t protect a larger pet. Additionally, pets can chew or scratch their way through screens. Pet-safe window screens are available.

 

Pets don’t need to fall to be injured by an open window. Wind blowing through an open window can cause doors to slam. The pet may be trapped in the closed room, or be injured by the slamming door. Cats and dogs can lose tails to wind-closed doors.

 

Practicing basic window safety with supervision of children or pets makes your home much safer.