Parents and caregivers are being urged to take steps to help prevent falls among kids during Window Safety Week, scheduled for April 7-13.
The annual initiative, established in 1997 by the Window Safety Task Force in partnership with the National Safety Council, is aimed at raising awareness of the actions homeowners can take to prioritize window safety and fall prevention year-round.
The task force’s tips to keep kids safe:
- Keep windows closed and locked when young kids are around.
- When opening a window for ventilation, use only those located out of kids’ reach.
- Avoid placing furniture near open windows to prevent kids from accessing an open window.
- Don’t rely on insect screens to protect against a window fall. They’re designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in the home.
- Don’t let kids jump on beds or other furniture near open windows.
- Set up play activities away from windows, balconies or patio doors.
- Install compliant window fall prevention devices to limit how far a window will open.
“Now that warmer weather is arriving, most of us welcome the opportunity to enjoy fresh air through open windows,” said task force Co-Chair Angela Dickson. “However, to avoid accidental falls, the task force urges those in the industry to share window safety tips to keep children safe – post tips on your website and share via social media to help spread the word. There is a tip for each day of the week, and these simple steps could save a life.”
