Open windows pose danger to toddlers in summer
As the weather warms up, parents should secure windows to keep young children safe.Media Contact: Susan Gregg - 206-390-3226, sghanson@uw.edu
Each year, Harborview Medical Center treats 30 to 50 young children who have fallen out of windows. The typical patient is a toddler, 2 to 3 years old. As toddlers are top-heavy and tend to fall headfirst, they often suffer injuries to the head, arms and shoulders.
“When the weather gets warm, people compensate by opening the windows and letting natural breezes come through the house. So we see a very clear correlation between the temperature outside and the number of window-fall cases that we are admitting here,” said Dr. Brian Johnston, chief of pediatrics at Harborview and professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Johnston stressed parents’ need to recognize the danger of open windows, even those with screens. Screens are designed to pop out easily and cannot support a child's weight.
“There are window stops that you can install that will limit the opening of your window,” Johnston said. “If you have double-hung windows, you could open the top window rather than the bottom. And then we talk about supervision.”
In case of a fall, especially from a height above 10 feet, Johnston said it’s crucial to call 911.
Download broadcast-ready soundbites and related multimedia with Johnston.