Window Safety Overview

Children are frequently around windows. While windows provide natural light and ventilation, they can also pose a risk to children if not properly safeguarded. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury for all children ages 0-19. Each year, window falls account for approximately 8 deaths and 3,300 injuries among children ages 5 and under. Among children 10 and under, window falls account for over 5,000 injuries and 12 deaths. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital raises awareness about window safety by providing safety tips, provider education, and other resources.

Safety tips: Prevent window falls

• Screens keep bugs out, NOT kids in. Do not rely on window screens to prevent falls.
• Install window stops, so that windows open no more than four inches.
• Keep furniture away from windows so kids cannot climb to the ledge.
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around open windows.
• If you have windows that can open down from the top as well as up from the bottom – it is generally safer to open the top pane, but growing kids may have enough strength, dexterity and curiosity to open the bottom pane.
• Keep windows locked and closed when they are not being used.
• Enact a two-foot “No Play Zone” around windows, so children are less inclined to play around windows even when not at home.
• Plant grass and shrubbery outside under windows, so that if a child does fall, they do not fall onto a harder surface such as cement.
• Never try to move a child who appears to be seriously injured after a fall – call 911 and let trained medical personnel move the child with proper precautions.