Protect your kids from accidental window falls
Learn how you can prevent window fall accident and keep your little ones safe as the weather warms up
Warm weather is on the way, but before you throw open your windows to let the fresh air in, let’s talk about the dangers that open windows can pose to young children. Kids are curious by nature and top-heavy by design, so an open window can be an invitation to trouble.
Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalization for kids and in 2023, 44 children were treated at Mary Bridge Children’s for traumatic window fall injuries.
Who is most at risk?
Often it is children under the age of five, but not exclusively. And while we see more window falls with boys, we advise securing accessible windows for all children under age seven. Prioritize kid’s bedrooms and play areas, upstairs windows, or any window more than six feet off the ground.
Tips to prevent window falls
- Limit window openings to four inches or less by adding a window stop, which can be purchased at a hardware store or online.
- If a window must be open more than four inches, use an operable window guard.
- Choose window stops/guards that can be removed by an adult in an emergency (but avoid letting your child watch you remove one).
- Only open windows that are outside of a child’s reach or climbing distance.
- Keep furniture away from windows to discourage little climbers.
- Teach children not to play near windows, but don’t rely on them to remember that.
- Plant grass or shrubbery beneath windows to soften the impact surface in case of a fall.
What doesn’t stop a window fall?
- Window screens. They are designed to keep bugs out, not kids in. The weight of even a small child will push the screen off.
- Parental supervision. Caregivers are very often present at time of a fall but are also often distracted by meal preparation or caring for other children. Falls happen quickly, sometimes right in front of a parent or caregiver.
For more information about window safety, visit Stop At 4″ or email Mary Bridge Children’s child safety team at [email protected].
This post was originally published in August 2021 and was updated in July 2024.