July 13, 2010: CPSC Urges Window Safety
On July 6,
2010, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a statement
urging parents and caregivers to consider safety precautions before opening windows. CPSC warns that open windows may seem
harmless but “have proven to be sources of injury and death for young children.”
CPSC
explains that in recent weeks, several children have fallen from windows. CPSC
data indicates that on average, about eight deaths occur yearly to children
five years or younger while an estimated 3,300 children five and younger are
treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Hospitalization was required for about
34 percent of these children after falling from a window.
These
deaths and injuries frequently occur when kids push themselves against window
screens or climb onto furniture located next to an open window. "The deaths and life-altering
injuries we have seen here at CPSC are heart-breaking and in many cases preventable," said CPSC Chairman
Inez Tenenbaum. "We want parents and caregivers to think safety
before opening the windows where
young children are present."
To help
prevent injuries and tragedies, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
- Safeguard
your children by using window guards or window stops
-
Install
window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows. (For windows on
the 6th floor and below, install
window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire
-
Install
window stops so that windows open no more than 4 inches
-
Never
depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows
-
Whenever
possible, open windows from the top -- not the bottom
-
Keep
furniture away from windows, to discourage children from climbing near windows.
- Some
jurisdictions require landlords to install guards. Check your local
regulations.
The Law Firm of Eric
H. Weinberg has been litigating personal injury cases for over twenty years and
can help you determine your legal options.
If you or
a family member has suffered an injury as a result of window accident and you
have questions about your legal rights, you can request a free case evaluation
from our firm by clicking on Free Case Evaluation. You may also contact us toll free
at 1-877-934-6274.
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