We tend to take windows for granted and can get lax in how we behave around them. Unfortunately, not exercising proper window safety all year round leads to dire consequences – the National Safety Council states that over 3,000 injuries to children 5 years old and younger occur annually as a result of window falls. Thus, National Window Safety Week was established in order to raise awareness about window safety and prevent potential injuries and even fatalities.
National Window Safety Week started in 1997 and takes place during the first week of April every year. This year, that’s April 4-10. The Window Safety Task Force combines forces with the National Safety Council to educate homeowners and caregivers about safety measures they can use not just during National Window Safety Week, but all year round. With proper education, it’s easy to avoid window-related accidents and injuries and keep our windows enjoyable, rather than something to fear.
Here are some tips we’ve gathered for this year’s National Window Safety Week. While these are tips that you can and should use regardless of the time of year, National Window Safety Week is the perfect time to remind ourselves of what we could be doing better to be safer around windows as well as serve as a refresher on what we can do in order to prevent window falls and ensure that in the unlikely event of an emergency, we can safely use our windows as escape routes.
#1. Keep Windows Both Closed And Locked When Children Are Around.
While adults typically know how to act around open windows, children are very curious and love to explore. Open windows may let fresh air in, but they also tempt children to try to climb through them to see what the big, bold world has to offer. If you have young children around your home, it’s best to both close and lock your windows in order to prevent falls, as just closing them may not be enough to keep little hands from trying to open them.
#2. Only Open Windows That Are Out Of A Child’s Reach.
You’ll notice that all of these tips for National Window Safety Week tend to go hand-in-hand, and that’s because one thing very easily leads to another. Similar to the above tip, if you want to open up your windows to let in some nice, fresh air and allow birdsong to fill your home, make sure it’s one that your child can’t reach. The Window Safety Task Force includes this in its recommendations for National Window Safety Week and says it would be better to open the upper sash of a double-hung window for ventilation.
#3. Don’t Place Furniture Near Windows.
Children love to climb, and if your furniture is by your windows, your children will be climbing dangerously close to said windows, which could then lead to a disastrous fall. In order to keep your children from climbing, it’s recommended that you avoid placing furniture near windows, especially since said children would want to climb on the furniture in order to see through the glass.
Similarly, as part of National Window Safety Week, we recommend you discourage children from jumping on your furniture, such as beds, as this can also lead to falls and avoidable hospital visits.
#4. Don’t Rely On Screens To Prevent Falls.
Your windows’ screens are designed to keep bugs out of your home so that you can open your windows without inviting all these pests in. They’re not designed to keep children in. Screens can break and come out under pressure, so you can’t expect them to prevent window falls.
#5. Supervise Children’s Play And Keep It Away From Windows.
Encourage your children to play in the center of the room and to watch for any instances when it starts getting close to windows and doors, especially if said windows and doors are open. The last thing you want is for playtime to turn into an emergency.
#6. Teach Your Children How To Safely Use Windows As Emergency Exits.
No one likes to think about being forced to use your windows as an escape route, but if the worst case scenario happens, you want everyone to know how to safely use your windows to escape.
The Window Safety Task Force has compiled multiple helpful resources that we here at Moyes Glass are happy to point you to if you would like to learn more helpful tips for National Window Safety Week. If you would like to learn more or if you have any questions about our window services and the safety precautions we take, please don’t hesitate to contact us.