Window Safety & Child Falls

Each year, many young children fall from windows, often in warm weather when windows are open. Most of these falls are preventable. Screens do not hold a child's weight; they are made only to keep out insects.

• Parents
• Tenants
• Landlords

Why it happens

• Children are curious and climb on furniture to look out.
• They can lean against a screen and push it out.
• A child may fall in seconds, even if a parent is nearby.
• Falls from just a few floors can cause serious injury or death, and falls from first or second-story windows also cause injuries.

Prevent falls

• Install window guards on windows above the first floor, mounted properly into the frame, with bars no more than 4 inches apart. Guards must be removable by adults in an emergency, as fire codes require, in at least one window per room.
• Or use window stops or limiters that restrict the opening to less than 4 inches, and install them properly.
• Open windows from the top instead of the bottom when possible.
• Keep furniture, beds, cribs, toys and shelves away from windows so children cannot climb up.
• Lock windows when not in use, and keep keys or controls out of children's reach.
• Teach children not to play near windows or lean on screens, but do not rely on teaching alone.
• Keep blind and curtain cords out of reach. See Blind Cords.
• Supervise children closely near open windows, balconies and decks.

Balconies and stairs

• Keep balcony doors locked or use child-resistant locks. Check railings for gaps wider than 4 inches and for footholds that allow climbing. See Deck & Railing Checks.
• Use gates at stairs. See Childproofing.

Renters and landlords

• Many cities require landlords to install window guards when a child under a certain age lives in an apartment, if a tenant asks, or in all buildings above a certain height
• Ask your landlord in writing for window guards or stops if you have young children. See Tenant Safety Rights
• Landlords should check local law and install guards on request. See Landlord Safety Duties
• Keep escape windows in bedrooms usable in a fire; follow instructions for releasing guards

If a child falls

Call 911. Do not move the child unless there is immediate danger, to protect the neck and spine. See Spinal Injuries.

Last updated: October 8, 2026