On Saturday (July 22), a five year old Airdrie boy fell from a second story window, and was taken to hospital.

The incident was the third in the region this month, with two similar incidents occurring in Calgary on July 1. Adam Loria, EMS Public Education Officer, says there are steps parents can take to ensure their children's safety. The main one is crucial, but sometimes easier said then done.

"Direct supervision is essential and key to ensuring the safety of children. If you're dealing with a toddler or a number of toddlers or young children, they're curious. They can get out of sight very quickly."

Besides watching your children, Loria has other precautions and safety measures.

"The biggest one is preventing access to windows or balconies by removing certain items, specifically furniture, away from underneath the window or the vicinity of the window."

Loria said children are naturally curious, and will take opportunities to look out windows and see what's going on. Reducing access to windows by moving cribs, chairs, and change tables away from windows can reduce the risk of a fall.

Loria also said that parents need to remember that window screens are not safety devices.

"Screens are meant to keep bugs out, they are not meant to keep humans in."

Screens are meant to be easily removed in case of emergencies. Even a small amount of pressure from a young hand can pop the screen out, creating a hazard.

Other things parents can do include installing safety devices that limit how wide a window can open.

Loria is quick to acknowledge that sometimes these safety measures are easier in theory. Nevertheless, they do play a role in child safety.

"All these are quite easier said then done, but just from experience we've found that these do mitigate children physically falling from windows or balconies."

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com