It only takes a few seconds for tragedy to occur. Every year, the Inova Regional Trauma Center treats many children who fall from windows. Most of the falls occur during the spring and autumn. Parents often report they were unaware of the dangers of having open windows in the home. The Northern Virginia area has had a dramatic increase in the number of toddlers injured as a result of falls from windows.
F alls onto concrete and other hard surfaces cause the most severe injuries and deaths.
A n open window may put a child at serious risk. An opening as little as 4 inches may be large enough for a toddler to fall through. L ittle ones are curious about the world around them. Leaving toys and other interesting items on windowsills encourages dangerous exploration. L eaving furniture near a window is an invitation to climb.