If you have children, or you often play the role of babysitter, window safety is a very important consideration when looking at the layout of your room.
Babies too!
Babies grow, and as they grow they start to explore… your cupboards, your fridge and they might even stumble upon some uncommon escape routes. You can take actions as a homeowner to help prevent children from falling, or escaping, by implementing a few small precautions in your living spaces.
The ultimate baby-proofing plan starts with scoping out the space. As part of your investigation:
Check for nearby, climbable furniture
Look for objects that could easily be stacked
Scan for items that could break a window when tossed or played with
Do some rearranging before purchasing any baby proofing products. Some of your windows won’t need additional child proofing after completing this step! Now, if this completely throws off your feng shui, you can always consider applying a subtle solution that will put your mind at ease and keep your space stylish. Never forget, your first line of defense is your sturdy window lock!
Time to childproof? Let us help!
It never hurts to take that extra step to keep your little ones (and your pets) safe and secure, starting from the inside. To help you figure out the best solution for your family, We’ve put together a couple of options for the different types of windows we offer:
Casement Windows
Option 1: Remove crank handles.
Removing the crank handles on your windows is a simple and easy solution to prevent your child (and you) from opening them…just be careful not to damage the handle with your super strength – you’ll need to put it back on when you want to crack it open in the future!
Option 2: Use a Window Guard.
Window guards, not to be mistaken for burglar bars, are a set of removable steel bars, less than 4 inches apart, designed to prevent children from falling out of windows. Removable and durable, most window guard products are easily installed with just a screwdriver or drill* and come in a variety of finishes including white and stainless steel.
If you don’t like the idea of bars, consider a mesh window guard. Both options allow you the flexibility of safety and function, while also letting you open the window when you’d like.
*Be careful. Some installations might impact your warranty
Slider Windows
Option 1: Charley Bar
Adjustable in size, charley bars will keep your windows closed when applied horizontally and can be moved into a vertical position when the protection isn’t necessary and you want to let in some fresh air.
Option 2: Window Stopper
Window stoppers come in different shapes and formats, but they can be installed simply and subtly. They often require no tools and are made of durable plastic.
Hung Windows
A Window stop (see above) or window guard (from the Casement Windows section) is best applied in this situation, as well.
Awning Windows
The awning window design is unique and works best with a Restrictor cable lock. To install, the cable lock mechanism must be fastened to the window and is built to effectively handle force and will restrict the amount of space when the window opens.
Pro Tip
Never paint, nail or weather-strip windows shut – you may need to use windows in case of an emergency.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. In addition to child proofing your windows, remember to talk to your child about window safety, the danger of heights and never rely on a screen for protection… for anything other than bugs!