Tips

Window safety for kids

Get tips for planning and selecting windows with safety in mind, plus get some pointers on teaching youngsters the basics of window safety.

boy and dog sitting at kitchen counter with Andersen white framed windows in background

boy and dog sitting at kitchen counter with Andersen white framed windows in background

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Fresh air and sunlight make for the kind of welcoming and healthy environments we all want to create for our children. Windows and doors make this ideal possible, and they don’t have to come at the cost of your peace of mind. Here are some precautions you can take to increase your child’s safety around windows.

1. Take precautions that restrict window access

Generally, building codes require windows to be installed at a minimum height above the floor. This helps prevent accidental falls.

Remember that many children love to climb. Take care not to place beds and other furniture in places that could give a child access to a window.

When ventilation is needed, opt to open windows that are out of reach, and remember to close and lock windows afterward.

A family plays a card game under a bank of windows in a home with industrial design.

A family plays a card game under a bank of windows in a home with industrial design.

Placing windows at code-compliant height can bring peace of mind without sacrificing fresh air and sunshine in your home.

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2. Limit openings with a window opening control device

In cases of low-placed windows or in any room where you want an added level of safety, an ASTM F2090 compliant window opening control device can be a great solution. A window opening control device limits a window’s opening to less than 4 inches, so you can bring in fresh air without worry. And in the case of an emergency, a window opening control device is designed to disengage so the window can fully open.

A window opening control device can be built into a new window or applied to an existing window as an accessory. You’ll find a flush-mount, factory-applied window opening control device available with 200 Series Double-Hung Windows. Order a window opening control device kit for an existing casement, double-hung, or gliding window in our Parts Store

A double-hung window with a window opening control device that limits its opening to less than 4 inches.

A double-hung window with a window opening control device that limits its opening to less than 4 inches.

A window opening control device limits a window’s opening to less than 4 inches. It can be applied in two different ways: as built-in hardware applied at the factory, like this 400 Series Double-Hung Window, or as an accessory to an existing window.

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3. Teach kids the basics of window safety

It’s important that kids understand the basics of window safety. For example, insect screens are just that: a means of keeping bugs out while still allowing fresh air in. They’re not meant to keep a person or pet from falling out of a window. We’ve developed fun, free resources through our LookOut for Kids® program — find them via the link below.

More window safety tips Order a window opening control device

Healthy home

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