Making sure the home is a safe space for children is of the utmost importance to parents. There are a number of areas around the home that need to be childproofed but let’s look at one of those areas, windows. Falling is the main hazard for small children and, while most of the time they get back up unharmed, if the fall is from a height it will be a very different story. So, how do we make sure that windows are secure and safe for children?
There are some very simple and low-cost ways to minimize the risk of a child falling from a window. One of the first things to think about is the positioning of furniture. Never place furniture underneath a window or in an area where a child can easily climb up and open it. Depending on the age and height of the child, they may be able to reach a window without climbing on something so at this stage, it’s important to have childproof window latches installed. There are many types to choose from, but they should allow an adult to easily open the window while at the same time preventing a child from doing so.
Window guards are another option, these attach to the window frame and will prevent a child from being able to open the window. They usually have bars across them which should be spaced apart no more than 4 inches. Any more than this and a child could get their head or other body part stuck. Window stops are also available, these are designed to only permit the window to open to a certain width, which as in the case of window guards should not be more than 4 inches.
Screens are not a protection against a child falling so if your windows have these you will still need to take additional safety measures. If you are concerned about child safety in your home, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to make our recommendations.