Protect Your Children from Window Falls

A very sad story from Reston, Virginia reminds us to practice safety now that it’s springtime. A two-and-a-half-year-old boy fell from a third-story townhouse window this past weekend. The window was open but was covered by a screen, said police spokeswoman. The boy died as a result of the injuries sustained and was pronounced dead at the hospital. According to the Washington Post, a parent and a sibling were home at the time of the fall.

With warmer weather in sight, keep these important tips in mind:

• Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent children from climbing.
• Don't rely on insect screens to prevent window falls. These screens are designed to provide fresh air while keeping bugs out. They are NOT designed to prevent a child's fall from a window.
• Install window stops designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards with release mechanisms to help prevent a fall.
• Keep windows locked and closed when they're not being used.
• Keep children away from windows or patio doors when playing.
• Supervise children at all times, especially around open windows.

A fall from a window can happen in a matter of seconds and the consequences can be devastating. Don’t wait for a tragedy, practice window safety today!

For more information visit Safe Start Baby, the National Safety Council and Safe Kids Worldwide.