According to SafeKids.org, window falls account for about eight deaths and 3,300 injuries among children five and younger each year.  National Window Safety Week is designed to heighten the awareness of what can be done to help keep families safe from the risk of accidental falls or injuries in the home. Falls from a window are extremely dangerous, especially for children, and can cause serious injuries or death. While National Window Safety Week is observed annually, safety education occurs throughout the year.

 Windows play a vital role in home safety, serving as a secondary escape route in the event of a fire or other emergency, but they can also pose a risk for a fall if safety measures are not followed. Take a look at the guidelines below to learn how window-related injuries in the home can be prevented.

Window Falls Are Preventable

• Remember that insect screens cannot support a child's weight
• Never leave children unattended around open windows, with or without a screen
• Windows within a child's reach should remain closed
• Don't place furniture under windows; children can climb and potentially fall from an open window
• Keep children's play areas away from windows, balconies or patio doors

Windows are A Lifeline in an Emergency

• As part of your home escape plan:
  • Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut
  • Do not install air conditioners in windows that may be needed for escape
  • Make sure at least one window in each bedroom meets escape and rescue requirements
  • Window guards, security bars, grilles or grates render windows useless in an emergency unless they have a release mechanism; update them if necessary
  • Develop an emergency escape plan and practice it during the day and at night
  • Keep emergency escape ladders in second- or third-story bedrooms and teach everyone in the home how to use them

Safety Resources

• National Safety Council website.
• National Safety Council Window Safety Brochure.

National Safety Council Window Safety Checklist.