As families open windows and balcony doors to let the cool spring breeze into their homes, Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are reminding parents to be wary of the potential danger of their children falling out of a window or from a balcony.
“Obviously, the weather has taken a turn for the better over the last number of days and weeks,“ said Adam Loria, EMS public education officer. “Just given that fact, as well as the global pandemic situation we are going through, we wanted to get on top of the proactive messaging for window and balcony safety, which is specifically geared to children.“
Alberta’s paramedics have not yet responded to any incidents of a child falling from a window or balcony so far in 2020, but Loria said these calls do occur every year. In the first four months of 2017, AHS data showed at least 23 children in the province were taken to hospital following falls from windows and balconies.
Many of those cases require hospitalization, Loria added, and can result in serious injury if a child is falling from the second storey.
“Windows are open all day, every day, everywhere, and it’s not like we’re inundated with reports of children falling out of windows, but it does happen," he said. "If it happens once, in our opinion, that’s too much.“
Loria said it is important to educate children directly about the dangers of falling from a balcony or window. For instance, he said it is important to teach your child that window screens are not safety measures and will not hold their weight.
“A screen is very easy to dislodge – a little bit of pressure and weight will dislodge that screen, which is not meant to keep people inside,“ he said. “They’re meant to keep bugs out, while keeping a nice air flow in the house.“
Parents should inspect the areas near their windows to see if there is any way a child could access them, Loria said, and move cribs, chairs or other furniture out of the way.
“Kids are very curious, especially if a window is open and they hear other kids, people or traffic outside,“ he said. “They want to see what is going on, and they will try to find a way to see what is going on.“
Direct supervision is the best way to prevent a child from falling, Loria said, though he acknowledged that is not always possible – particularly in households with multiple children.
Other child-proofing measures include purchasing and installing a safety lock, which prevents the window from opening fully.
“These window locks can be installed onto the window and you can set how far you want the slider to open,“ he said.
However, Loria said window locks need to be able to be dismantled quickly by a parent, in the event of a fire or other emergency where the window becomes an escape route.
“Obviously, it’s a case-by-case basis and is completely up to the home-owner or caregiver,“ he said. “Another option is, instead of opening the windows, keep those closed and secure, and then install an air conditioning unit. I know that’s not feasible for everyone, but it is another option.“
As for balcony safety, in addition to moving furniture that children could climb, EMS recommends families ensure their railings are no more than 10 centimetres apart to eliminate the chance of a toddler squeezing through.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
