Another reminder to watch children around open windows
Posted August 12, 2012 3:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A four-year-old fell 20 feet out of a window in Mission yesterday–this after the same thing happened to a toddler in Surrey several weeks ago.
Safety experts say these falls are preventable.
BC Ambulance‘s Kelsie Carwithen says paramedics see critical injuries from the falls, from broken bones to facial and head trauma.
“We know screens are not preventing children from falling through and while it might be tempting to leave a window open a crack to let some fresh air in, remember that young children are innately curious and natural climbers and may not understand the risks of their actions,” she explains.
Carwithen says that the best piece of advice she can give to caregivers ensure you have the right safety locks on windows and doors, especially if you have young children.
She reminds parents that window screens are often pushed out by children and furniture should be removed from under windows.
Carwithen says they’ve seen an increase in toddlers’ falls this summer and hopes parents will take all necessary precautions to prevent this.
The Mission child who fell yesterday fortunately only suffered a broken leg.
