National Window Safety Week 2026

Spring has arrived and as the weather becomes warmer, households will turn off their home heating equipment and begin inserting window screens to enjoy the cool spring breeze that a screen provides. While screens for some may be comforting, for others they are dangerous even deadly especially for small children. Screens are to keep bugs out, not kids in.

Each year, approximately 8 children die and 3,300 are injured by window falls. Children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk for such falls due to their inability to recognize the danger that exists when playing near a screened window.  Their curiosity and focus lie elsewhere, such as a toy, a pet or any number of things can result in an unintentional injury or death. Although the majority of children that fall from windows reside in urban areas, falls occur from the first or second-story window in homes or apartments, and not in high-rise buildings as previously believed.

National Window Safety Week is April 5^th – 11^th; the Prince William County Fire & Rescue System urges the public to get involved, year-round, at home, school and neighborhoods to help reduce unintentional injuries among children by understanding the role of windows. Windows are two-fold; while vital in escaping a home fire or other emergencies, it’s vital for parents and guardians to understand how to best protect  their children against accidental window falls.  Listed below are window safety tips to keep your little ones safe: 

         Window Safety Tips

• Keep children away from open windows.
• If you have windows that can open from both top and bottom, make a habit of opening just the top.
• Keep windows locked and closed when they are not being used.
• Install window guards or window stop devices that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches (educate family members, older children and adults, on how to release window guards in the event of a fire or other emergency that requires evacuation).
• Keep climbable objects, i.e. furniture, beds, toy chests, etc., away from windows.
• DO NOT place toys and other inviting objects on windowsills.
• Check to make sure porch and balcony railings are spaced 4” apart or less.
• Always provide adult supervision for children around open windows or in risky environments.

It’s important to remember that windows can play a critical role in fire safety and should be included as a potential secondary exit when developing a home fire escape plan, At the same time, open or unsecured windows can pose a serious risk to young children. The Prince William County Fire & Rescue System urges families to take proactive steps to properly secure windows and help ensure their children’s safety.

For additional information on window safety, visit Prevent Child Injury www.preventchildinjury.org/, National Safety Council www.nsc.org/, and Safe Kids Worldwide www.safekids.org/.