OHSU: As weather warms, keep kids safe from dangerous window falls
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 3,300 children younger than 6 fall from windows each year — tumbles that may cause severe injuries and, in rare cases, death.
In Oregon, the arrival of spring means on average, 50 Oregon children will suffer falls from windows as many families open their windows to let in fresh air. It’s important for parents and families to understand the risk of window falls and take proper steps to help prevent them, says Ben Hoffman, M.D., professor of pediatrics in the OHSU School of Medicine, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, and president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Window falls can happen to any child, even those whose parents might think they are too young to access or operate a window. This was the case for the Hoerth family, whose son, Jeremiah, fell out of a second-story window at just 3 years old.
The fall resulted in a five-hour emergency surgery and an 88-day-long stay in the OHSU Doernbecher Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, followed by intensive physical therapy for Jeremiah to relearn mobility and spatial awareness, and then more surgery to repair damage to his skull.
Now a healthy, happy 6-year-old, Jeremiah’s intelligence and adventurous spirit continue to keep his family on their toes.
“It was a scary, difficult situation that left me feeling anxious and traumatized,” said Jeremiah’s mother, Nana Hoerth. “I don’t want any parent to feel judged or shamed, and I hope by sharing our story, we can help educate families and prevent similar injuries from happening to another child.”
Their family’s experience inspired Hoerth to create the YETI (Youth Exist to Inspire) Foundation, which aims to connect other families with resources and raise awareness about safety and prevention of falls and other common childhood injuries.
Tips for prevention
Window safety toolkits are available at the OHSU Doernbecher Tom Sargent Safety Resource Center, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or by appointment (503-418-5666).
“Unintentional falls can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Children are curious by nature and can easily and quickly fall through an open window,” Hoffman said. “Unfortunately, falls are a leading cause of injury hospitalization for children in the United States. Parents and caregivers need to be prepared and take necessary precautions to prevent falls. Using window stops and guards is an easy, inexpensive and very effective way to decrease the risk of serious injury.”
Other tips from OHSU Doernbecher’s Tom Sargent Safety Resource Center include:
- Install it. Screens are not strong enough to prevent a child from falling. Installing window stops to limit your windows from opening more than 4 inches or installing a window guard is the best way to prevent window falls. Experts recommend leaving the guards and stops in place until children are 11 years old.
- Move it. Prevent children from getting to windows by moving items they can climb on — including beds, dressers and shelves — away from windows.
- Lock it. Keep windows locked. Only open the windows that children can’t reach. If you have double-hung windows, only open them from the top.
- Teach it. Create a no-play zone by moving all toys and decorations away from windows. Teach children not to play in these areas.
- If a fall does occur: Don’t try to move your child; call 9-1-1 immediately.
Additionally, window safety toolkits and other home safety resources are available are at the Tom Sargent Safety Resource Center, which is located just inside the lobby of OHSU Doernbecher. It’s open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or by appointment; contact 503-418-5666 to schedule.