Believe it or not, National Window Safety Week is a real thing. This year it is observed April 5-11. Every year, about eight children under the age of five die from falling out a window. And over 3,300 are injured seriously enough to need to visit the hospital. This is a huge number!! Clearly, parents needs to be reminded to steer their children clear of windows. National Window Safety Week is intended to increase awareness and prevent window falls. The Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council takes the first full week in April to educate the public on the importance on window safety.
The Window Safety Task Force formed in 1997 to promote awareness. Members of the task force include members representing the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and the Screen Manufacturers Association (SMA) along with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and other organizations including window, door and screen manufacturers. The National Safety Council does their best the save lives by preventing injuries and deaths in homes and at work.
The Window Safety Task Force released the following tips to help protect young children:
- Keep windows closed and locked while children are in the vicinity.
- When opening a window for ventilation, open those away from a child’s reach. If you have a double hung window, you can open the upper part instead of the bottom sash.
- Try not to place furniture near windows so young children cannot climb up the furniture.
- Don’t encourage children to jump on furniture or beds to reduce possible falls.
- Do not rely on insect screens to prevent a child from falling from a window. The screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in.
- Supervise your children and try to keep them away from windows or balconies.
- Installing code-compliant devices that are designed to limit how far a window will open can be a great way to prevent falls.
- Teach your child about how to use a window to escape safely from the home in case of an emergency like a fire.