NATIONAL WINDOW SAFETY WEEK

NATIONAL WINDOW SAFETY WEEK

Each year, the Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council takes the first full week in April to educate on the importance of practicing window safety year-round. National Window Safety Week is designed to increase awareness on helping to prevent window falls and the proper use of windows for emergency escape purposes.

Every year, about eight children under the age of five die from falling out a window. And over 3,300 are injured seriously enough to need to visit the hospital.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWindowSafetyWeek

• When young children are around, keep windows closed and locked.

• When opening a window for ventilation, use those located out of a child’s reach. For example, the upper sash of a double-hung window.

• Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent young children from climbing.

• Don’t allow children to jump on beds or other furniture to help reduce potential falls.

• 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.

• Supervise children to keep child’s play away from windows, balconies or patio doors.

• Keep play in the center of a room, if possible, Install code-compliant devices designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire) to help prevent a fall.

• Teach children how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency, such as a fire.

• Use #WindowSafetyWeek or #NWSW to follow on social media.

• Read more on the National Safety Council Website.

NATIONAL WINDOW SAFETY WEEK HISTORY

Efforts to promote window safety for children began in 1997 when the National Safety Council began the Window Safety Task Force to educate caregivers about window safety.