Every year, in the United States, nearly 5,000 children — mostly toddlers — fall out of windows; 28 percent require a hospital stay and approximately 20 die. In 2008, 18 children were admitted to The Children’s Hospital for injuries suffered when they fell out of a window. A child who falls 10 feet can suffer spinal injury, paralysis and fatal head injury. Safe Kids Denver Metro reminds parents to be window safe as warmer weather approaches and window in the home are opened.
Window Safety – The Children’s Hospital-Denver Area, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Region.
A dear friend and co-worker of mine is grieving for her friends who over the weekend lost their 2 year old son due to a fall out a screen window in their home. It’s not one of the bigger dangers we think about often as parents, especially parents for toddlers. When we think about accidents, we think about parking lots and cars, toys, kitchen gadgets, fire and broken bones. I don’t know about you, but I do not think I have ever really thought about falls from a window.
I can’t even imagine the grief and anguish those parents are going through right now. Their religious pundit told them that everyone has a purpose here on Earth and when they have accomplished that purpose, it’s their time to leave. Hard to grasp or even understand that idea in relation to this tragedy – but sometimes one’s purpose doesn’t even become clear for months or even years later. I know for me – that was comforting to think about when dealing with our cancer experience. I hope that in time this family can also find comfort in that and look to rebuild a new normal for them which will lead them to the purpose.
Here is a reminder for anyone out there that has small children – A Window Screen is Not a Safety Device!
Here are some Window Safety Reminders:
Safe Kids Denver Metro also reminds parents and caregivers:
- Keep windows closed and locked when children are around, and keep furniture and anything that a child can climb away from windows to reduce the chances of a child falling through a window. When opening a window for ventilation chose one that a child cannot reach.
- If you have double-hung windows — the kind that can open down from the top as well as up from the bottom — it is generally safer to open the top pane, but growing kids may have enough strength, dexterity and curiosity to open the bottom pane. Don’t assume an unlocked window is childproof.
- Set and enforce rules that your child cannot play near windows especially the activity many kids love – jumping on the bed.
- Strategic landscaping may lessen the extent of injury sustained in the event of a fall. Shrubs and soft edging such as wood chips or grass under a window can cushion potential falls.