Prevent dangerous falls

By Heather

Since a dear college friend fell to his death through an open window on a warm day, I have been especially cautious around windows in high places. Add toddlers to the mix, I’m double paranoid. With the warm weather in full force, we keep windows open to keep a breeze blowing (and to freshen indoor air), but this can pose a serious safety risk for young kids.

Dr. Tony Woodward, chief of emergency medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital offers these tips for preventing children from falling out of open windows:

Move chairs, cribs, beds, furniture and anything your child can climb on away from windows
Remember that screens on windows keep bugs out but don’t keep kids in
If you open a window that does not have a guard, open it only 4 inches or less
Consider planting shrubs or soft grass underneath a window in case a fall does occur
And – of course! – supervise your child at all times

In this video, Dr. Woodward discusses the steps you can take in your home to prevent window falls with tips and demonstrations of simple improvements.

What steps can you take today to prevent a dangerous window fall? Share your action in the comments.