Safety Tips for Windows
Release date: 6/3/2002
Save A Life - What You Should Know About Window Safety
EAGLE Window & Door, the National Safety Council (NSC), Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) would like you to be aware of the following window safety tips:
1) Be sure you and your family are familiar with the windows and doors in your house and how they operate.
2) Screens will not stop a child from falling out a window! Screens are designed to keep insects out, not children in. Avoid placing furniture near or in front of windows to keep children from climbing onto the window. Unattended children run the greatest risk of falls and injuries, so be sure to watch your children as they play. Nothing can substitute for careful supervision.
3) When children are around, close and lock your windows. If you need ventilation, open windows they cannot reach. Teach your children not to play near windows.
4) Do not leave open windows unattended when small children are present. Falling from an opening may result in serious injury or death.
5) Avoid injuries when installing your windows and doors or cleaning and removing sash. Two or more people may be required, depending on the unit’s location or weight.
6) If window blinds are utilized, keep cords out of reach of children to avoid strangulation. The following may assist: clamp or clothes pin, cleat, tie-down device, or tie the cord to itself up out of a child’s reach.
7) According to the NFPA, 80% of all U.S. fire deaths occur in the home. In a fire, a window can save a life. Review with your family at least two emergency escape routes from your home. Practice with your children how to safely exit through windows in case of a fire. Be sure your windows operate easily from the inside and that they are not blocked by furniture or other objects.
8) Be sure your windows and doors meet current egress codes.