Each April—just as spring begins to arrive and people begin to open their windows—the National Safety Council celebrates National Window Safety Week. Held this year from April 3-9, this week is a time for those of us in the window world to educate parents and caregivers about how to prevent falls and injuries from windows in their homes. In advance of National Window Safety Week, True View would like to share with our customers important information on how to keep children safe around windows.
- Keep windows closed and locked around children. Even if you have an insect screen, it will not prevent a child from falling out of a window.
- Only open windows that are out of a child’s reach. Keep in mind that children may be able to access windows by climbing on furniture.
- Install window fall protection devices. Use ASTM F2090 devices, like sliding locks, restrictor cables, or lock pins to limit how far a window can open. A safe window opening is no more than four inches.
- Plan for a soft landing under windows. Plant grass or bushes underneath windows to help break the fall of a child.
- Ensure your windows can open easily in case of emergency. Check of all of the windows in your house to make sure that they don’t stick and aren’t painted shut. This will also allow them to be opened quickly in the event of a house fire.
- Don’t install an air conditioning unit in an escape window. Be strategic as to where you install window air conditioning units. If a certain window in a room provides a safer escape route, place the air conditioning unit in a different window.
Looking to learn more about window safety? You can follow the conversation on social media by searching for #WindowSafety or #WindowSafetyWeek.
At True View we hold safety in the highest regard and only want the best for our customers. Many of our windows offer features that can help you protect the children in your home. For more information, contact the True View location nearest you.