Recognizing National Window Safety Week

As spring arrives, the Window Safety Task Force in partnership with the National Safety Council encourages parents and caregivers to recognize the importance of practicing window safety year-round. Window Safety Week is observed during the first full week of April each year. However, open windows can be dangerous any time of year for young children who are not properly supervised.

Falls from a window can result in serious injury or death and pose an especially dangerous threat for children. Every year, about eight children under age five die from falling out a window, and more than 3,300 are injured seriously enough to go to the hospital.*

Here are some safety tips shared by the Window Safety Task Force to keep you and your family safe: 

1. When young children are around, keep windows closed and locked.
2. When opening a window for ventilation, use those located out of a child’s reach.
3. Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent young children from climbing and gaining access to an open window.
4. Don’t allow children to jump on beds or other furniture to help reduce potential falls.
5. Don’t rely on insect screens to prevent a window fall. Insect screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in the home.
6. Supervise children to keep child’s play away from windows, balconies or patio doors.
7. Install ASTM F2090 compliant devices designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire or other emergency) to help prevent a fall.
8. Teach your child how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency, such as a fire.

Visit www.nsc.org/windowsafetytaskforce, as well as the window safety sections of the FGIA and WDMA websites to learn more.

And follow along with us on LinkedIn this week as we share more handy resources in honor of National Safety Week. 

* According to Safe Kids Worldwide’s 2015 Report to the Nation: Protecting Children in Your Home

http://www.safekids.org/research-report/report-nation-protecting-children-your-home-february-2015

About the Window Safety Task Force

The Window Safety Task Force (WSTF) was formed in 1997 to promote greater awareness of window safety. The task force is comprised of members representing the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), in cooperation with the National Safety Council (NSC) and other organizations, as well as manufacturers of windows, doors and screens. Window Safety Week, recognized the first full week of April, is intended to heighten awareness about what actions homeowners can take to establish window safety as a year-round priority.

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