FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Connecticut Department of Public Health
May 7, 2013 Contact: William Gerrish
(860) 509-7270
A window guard can prevent a tragedy
Hartford – When it is warm outside, many people may open windows to get fresh air. But an open window can lead to serious injury, or worse, especially for children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about twelve children 10 years old and younger die each year, and more than 4,000 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for window fall-related injuries.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends that people take steps to prevent falls from windows, including the following:
- Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
- Open windows from the top, not the bottom, whenever possible.
- Keep furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing near windows.
- Install window stops so that windows open no more than four inches.
- Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows.
- For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire. For windows on the 7th floor and above, install permanent window guards.
- Look for guards that have bars no more than four inches apart.
- Window guards screw into the side of a window frame. They are sold in different sizes for various sized windows and adjust for width. Guards must meet requirements for spacing and strength, and those that allow for escape in case of emergencies must be difficult for very young children to open.
For more information, please see the resources below:
Safe Kids USA
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(800) 638-2772
(301) 595-7054 (TTY)
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