subject: Preventing Window Falls: How To Childproof Your Home [print this page] After falling through a third-story window earlier this week, a Loudoun, Virginia boy is now expected to make a full recovery.
The six-year-old leaned against a window screen while visiting a friends house. His weight pushed the screen out of the window frame and the child fell through the window into the bushes below.
He was then airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition. The incident has been ruled an accident by the Loudoun County Sheriffs office.
While falling through an upstairs window may seem to be an isolated type of incident, similar accidents have happened in Loudoun recently, most notably in April. Fortunately, in that case (a 2-year-old fell through a 2nd floor window, again by leaning on the screen), the child only suffered minor injuries.
Accidents happen. But you need to be careful leaving windows open in the home, especially if there are children present.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that in the US, about 12 children under the age of 10 die each year, and over 4,000 are treated in the hospital for window-related fall injuries (that doesnt even take into account accidents caused by window coverings).
When it comes to windows, keep the following things in mind:
1. Screens are not made to support human weight. Even a very small childtheyre meant to keep bugs out, not people in.
2. Supervise children closely. Even if the window is closed, do not allow them to play near it. Keep in mind that window glass isnt usually made to support the weight of a person either.
3. Consider installing landscaping under windows that may cushion a fall, as a last-ditch effort.
4. Dont serve alcoholic beverages too close to windows. Grown-ups fall, too.
5. If you have children living in your home, or own rental properties, consider installing a window guard.
6. Remember, even if you dont have children, you are likely responsible for any accidents that happen in your home. While most homeowners insurance policies will cover these kinds of accidents, the claims process can be long and tricky. Not to mention that insurance adjustors can be difficult to deal with (even going so far as to hide evidence in some cases) and your premiums will likely skyrocket.
In the long run, its best for everyone to take the basic precautions to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the first place.
