Each year, almost 5,200 children are taken to the hospital for injuries from window-related falls, according to a recent study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. Take these simple precautions to keep your child safe.
Don’t rely on screens. Invest in window stops (which prevent a window from opening) and guards (which look like railings). They’re hard for children to unlock, says Parents advisor Gary A. Smith, M.D., Dr.P.H., senior author of the study and president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance.
Move furniture and beds away from windows. Children are likely to climb up to get a better view outside, increasing the chance of a fall.
Choose safe window treatments. Not only can window cords pose a strangulation risk during a fall, but they can also be a strangulation hazard if kids are playing near them indoors. It’s best to use cordless window shades instead.
Soften the landing. Planting shrubbery or bushes below windows can help cushion the impact in case of a fall.
