by Whitney Henrie
Child Advocacy Specialist

Opening the windows and letting the breeze in is one of the best things about the warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, open windows can be dangerous for young children, especially windows on the second story or higher. Falls from heights onto hard surfaces can cause brain damage or death.

Each year in the United States, 15 to 20 children under the age of 11 die, and nearly 15,000 are injured, because of falls from windows. Children are more likely to die or be injured severely after a fall from a window than from any other type of fall, and children under age 5 are particularly at risk.

In August of 2012, two Utah children fell from windows on the same day. Both were under the age of 4, were unsupervised at the time, and climbed up on a piece of furniture to get to the window.

It’s important to know that window screens will not protect children from falling. Screens are not designed to be strong enough to prevent falls.

Let the fresh air in and keep your family safe by following these tips:

• Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows. For windows above the first floor, install window guards with an emergency release in case of fire.
• Install window stops so that windows open no more than four inches.
• Keep windows locked and closed when they are not being used.
• Keep furniture away from windows so kids cannot climb to the ledge.
• 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.
• Supervise children at all times, especially around open windows.

Whitney has a degree in Health Promotion from Weber State University. She has been working in the Child Advocacy Department at Primary Children’s for almost 2 years. She is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and loves the opportunity she has to help educate others about injury prevention. Whitney loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family.