Keeping kids safe from window falls

Spring weather is here, 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, Mary Bridge Children’s treated 44 children for traumatic window falls.

Who is most at risk?

We see the highest number of window falls happening with children between ages 2 to 5 years old, but not exclusively. And while we see more window falls with boys, we advise securing accessible windows for all children under 7 years old. Prioritize the kids’ bedrooms and play areas, as well as upstairs windows and any window more than 6 feet off the ground.

Tips to prevent window falls

• Limit window openings to 4 inches or less by adding a window stop, which can be purchased online or at a hardware store.
• If a window must be open more than 4 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 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 often present at the time of a fall but are often distracted by meal preparation or caring for other children. Falls happen quickly, sometimes right in front of a parent or caregiver.

April 1-7, 2024, is Window Safety Week

Free window stops are available from Mary Bridge Children’s. To request a window stop, contact our team at the Center for Childhood Safety. Please indicate if you own or rent your home so we can send you the correct product; limit of one stop per family, while supplies last.

Learn more about window safety here or email Mary Bridge Children’s child safety team at [email protected].

This post was updated for 2024; it was originally published in 2019.