Editorials

The recent spate of toddlers falling from windows in the Bay Area – including one last night – has prompted safety advocates to remind parents to be diligent and to use protective window guards that can ensure a measure of prevention. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, industry standards call for guards to be strong enough to prevent falls but also allow access for escape in the event of a fire. 

“People should be installing protective window guards,” commission spokesman Ken Giles said. “We strongly advocate their use.” 

Three Bay Area children have fallen from windows at least two-stories high in the last couple of weeks, including a young girl who toppled out of a San Jose apartment window in the 2800 block of McKee Road just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The 2 1/2-year-old girl's fall was broken by some shrubs below the window and she is expected to recover, according to police. 

On Monday, an 18-month-old San Francisco girl fell three stories out of a bedroom window and died from her injuries the following day. Police have said the tragic fall was an accident. 

A third girl, a 10-month-old from Santa Clara, pushed through a window screen about a week ago, falling to the parking lot below. She is recovering from head injuries suffered in the fall. 

Giles said the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced new safety standards for window guards in 2000. A report detailing statistics for window-fall related deaths among children 10 years of age and younger revealed that 120 children, most under age 5, died in falls from 1990 to 2000. During the same period, more than 4,000 children were taken to emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. 

The commission urges families occupying multi-story homes to take advantage of protective guards and familiarize themselves with a few essential preventive measures. 

Giles said guards should be installed in rooms where any young child might spend time. Parents should also install locks that allow windows to open no more than four inches and never depend on screens alone. In addition, adults should open windows from the top and keep furniture that children can climb on away from windows.