Window Safety Tips for Your Home and Family
By: Architectural Visions
In April, many of us start opening up the windows to let the fresh air inside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. At this time, it’s a good idea to refresh your memory about window safety so that everyone in your household can celebrate the season without being at risk of injury.
For the National Safety Council’s Window Safety Week, the first full week in April, here are some window safety tips for your home and family.
Key Takeaways:
- Keep patio doors locked when not in use
- If you have kids, installing child window guards can help keep them safe
- Keep furniture away from windows to help prevent children from climbing and accessing windows
- If opening a window for ventilation, choose windows that are high up off the ground
Open Windows Out of Children’s Reach
When choosing which windows to open in your house for ventilation, pick ones that are high up off the ground, such as the window above the kitchen sink or at eye-level in the bathroom. Windows that are lower to the ground can be more easily accessed by kids and pets and result in falls.
Move Furniture Away from Windows
Anyone with kids and pets knows that these active little ones love to climb. For window safety, avoid placing couches, chairs, and beds in front of windows so that they can’t be climbed on for easy window access.
Supervise Children Around Patio Doors Too
Sliding patio doors and swinging patio doors make wonderful additions to a home to connect the indoor living space to the outdoor world. But in addition to windows, patio doors should also be monitored when there are kids around. Keep these doors locked when not in use to prevent accidents and wandering outside unsupervised.
Don’t Rely on Screens for Fall Protection
Screens on windows and patio doors are designed to keep insects out, not to keep kids and pets in. Even the most durable screens can’t necessarily prevent falls, so don’t be overconfident that little ones are safe just because a screen is in place.
Install Child Window Guards
Child window guards are great for keeping kids safe, but they also should not impede the opening of a window in case of an emergency. Window guards for kids should open from the inside so that you can quickly get outside if you need to. They should also prevent the window from opening up more than four inches, as recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Practice Using Windows as Emergency Escape Routes
Emergency preparedness is important for every household, and spring is a great time to run an emergency drill in your home. Assess possible escape routes through your home’s windows, and make sure those windows are functioning properly and accessible in case of a fire or other emergency situation.
Understand Your Window Type
Certain styles of windows require different safety precautions than others. Another one of our window safety tips is to get familiar with the types of windows your home has so that you can install the appropriate locks or window guards for kids. For example, double hung windows can open either up or down, so you’ll want protection for both directions of movement.
Meanwhile, casement windows swing inward and outward, and they are easy to operate by just turning a crank. Therefore, double hung windows may be a better option for areas closer to the floor if you have kids in the house. Tilt and turn windows are also ideal in kid-friendly homes because they can be simply opened at the top for ventilation and minimize fall risks in your home.
Consider Shatter-Resistant Tempered Glass
The type of glass you choose for your window also impacts its safety. At AVI, we offer a variety of glass to suit your specific style and safety needs. One of those types of glass is tempered glass. Tempered glass is roughly five times stronger than standard glass. It’s not shatter-proof, of course, but when it does shatter, it turns into small square pieces that are less likely to pose a safety hazard. Tempered glass is a popular option in bathrooms, especially over bathtubs and showers.
Use Window Alarms for Security
Falls aren’t the only safety concern to remember about windows in a house. You also need your windows to keep you secure from potential intruders and burglars. Window alarms can be installed as part of a home security system to detect motion and alert you when something suspicious happens. You can go as high-tech or low-tech as you like with window alarms based on what makes you feel comfortable and your technology preferences.
Eliminate Cords on Blinds and Curtains
Beyond just the windows themselves, blinds and curtains can also pose dangers at windows in a house. Small children and pets can get tangled in cords and strings attached to window treatments and even strangle themselves. Therefore, choose your window coverings wisely and opt for ones that are either built-in on windows and patio doors or that can be operated by simply pushing them cord-free with your hands.
Choose the Safest Windows Possible
If the windows in your home have gotten old, damaged, or potentially unsafe, it may be time to consider a window upgrade for safety reasons. This is a great opportunity to choose safer windows manufactured by top industry brands that make quality craftsmanship and your wellbeing top priorities. From Marvin to Western Window Systems, EuroLine, Arcadia, and other great brands, AVI offers the most beautiful and safest windows in the Southeast.
Call us today for a free consultation at 678-297-1111 if you’re in Georgia or North Carolina and at 615-712-6498 if you’re in Tennessee. We’d love to introduce you to a window solution that exceeds all safety standards and share more window safety tips to help you make the most of the springtime.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us online or come by one of our Southeast locations and let us help you!