Child Window Safety

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Child Window Safety:
Don't Forget This Step!

Child window safety is extremely important and probably not the first thing you think of when you start to baby proof your home.

I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to protect your children from accidental falls from on open window (even one with a screen) and possible strangulation from the window blind cords.

In 2006, 14,000 children fell out of windows. Investing in a child safety window lock for each of your windows is well worth the money and the time to install them. They may help save your child’s life.

It’s not just young children that are at risk of falling out of windows. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reports of children up to the age of 10 having window related falls.

Whether you decide to get window locks or child safety window guards to protect your children, there are a few things to consider before you buy a particular product.

Child Safety Window Locks

If buying a child safety window lock or stop, know that most locks allow for you to open the window about four inches. Which is great since your child can’t fall out.

However, if you are wanting that window to be open more than that, get a child safety window guard.

You could also combine ideas….get locks for the windows that you don’t open as much and that are higher on the wall and get guards for those windows that your child has easy access to.

Be sure to get safety locks that can easily be removed in case of a fire. Both you and your children need to be able to access that window and get out in the event of a fire.

Child Safety Window Guards

As with window locks, buy guards that can easily be unlatched and removed in case of an emergency. Window guards that require you to install and uninstall with hardware will not help you in the event of a fire.

Look for window guards that can be unlatched from either side by an adult. There are window gates that swing open and can quickly release from their position if need be.

Child Window Safety Tips

Never allow a child to play around windows even if the window is not open.

Do not rely on screens to protect your children from falling.

For proper child window safety buy window guards that meet ASTM approval.

Install windows that open from the top instead of the bottom.

Keep all windows that do not have window locks or guards closed and locked at all times.

To provide the best child window safety replace all old windows that do not stay open by themselves. They are a danger for smashed fingers and accidental falls.

Keep all furniture away from under your windows. Do not allow your children to move their toys or furniture under the windows. It makes the window more accessible.

Ideally, remove all corded window blinds from your home.

Window Blind Safety

The CPSC recalled window blind treatments in 2001 and required new safety measures to be added. Check the inside of the head-rail to make sure that it was made after 2001. If it was made prior to that, DO NOT use them.

Even though window blinds are technically safer now than they were before 2001, there is still danger in all corded window blinds. They present a strangulation hazard for any child.

According to Parents For Window Blind Safety, the pull cords used to be two cords hooked into one closure leaving a huge loop for a child’s head to fit.
They now have two pull cords, each with a tassel. However, sometimes the cords tangle and still form a loop. Also, it’s important to remember that even one cord can strangle a child.

If you have corded window blinds in your home, ALWAYS have the cords tied up to the very top of the blinds. Do not tie the pull cords together in anyway. This defeats the purpose of avoiding loops and strangulation possibilities.
You can get cord holders. These are little boxes that will retract the cord up inside the holder. You can also look into cord wraps to tie up your cords.

However, your job in protecting your child is not over. Window blinds also have the safety hazard of inner-cord strangulation. The cords that are inside the slats, can be pulled out and they form a loop. Go look at your blinds. Pull that inner cord out and it’s a perfect loop that a baby or a child could get their head into very easily.

Avoid using cellular or roman shades. They are considered to be the most dangerous window blinds on the market.

Use cordless or remote control window blinds. Roller shades are also an option.

NEVER have corded window blinds in your child’s room

Check your baby’s day care to make sure that they have, ideally, no window blinds. If they do, make sure that the cords are properly tied up and away.

Insist that your day care workers NEVER allow your child, or any of the children, to play by the window. Because child window safety is so important many states are working towards banning all window blinds with cords from day care facilities.

**For the above reasons, I recommend removing all corded
window blind treatments from your home.**

Child window safety is something that, I believe, gets overlooked as a serious hazard in your home.

So, I’m stressing the information on this page to hopefully draw attention to this part of child safety.

Windows in your home should be child proofed in every way possible. You, truly, will feel better knowing that you have taken these extra steps to protect your child.

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