With the arrival of the pleasant days and cool nights we all look forward to each spring, we open our windows to let in fresh air. Along with the open window comes an increased safety risk for young children. An opened window can lead to a fatal fall.

Many parents and caretakers of young children do not realize the potential danger of an open window or how easily a child can fall out of it. Each year several children in your community fall from windows and land in area hospitals. In several cases young children have climbed onto furniture that is placed too close to an open window, and have fallen out. Remember, children are top heavy; they can be looking out an open window one minute and falling through it the next. A screen offers little protection when the weight of a child pushes against it.

Here are some important safety tips to prevent children falling from open windows:

• Always supervise young children, life-threatening injuries can happen in seconds to a child left unattended.
• Close and lock windows whenever young children are around. If you need ventilation, open windows that children can not reach. (For example, open double hung windows from the top only.)
• Keep furniture and beds away from windows. Children can quickly climb on to window ledges and fall.
• Keep window treatments (blinds, cords, drapes, etc.) out of children’s reach. They may injure themselves when climbing or be strangled.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raul G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-385-4419. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.