Guide · Safety and emergencies
Window Safety for Kids
A friendly, practical guide to preventing window falls, from window stops and guards to furniture placement, why screens aren’t safety devices, and keeping windows ready for emergency escape.
Where to start
- Little ones at home?
Walk each room at a toddler’s eye level, then tick through the window safety check.
- A child fell?
Call 911 right away. See if a child falls.
- Getting a home ready for a family?
See the owner checklist.
The short version
Window falls happen in seconds, and a few simple steps help prevent them.
Screens don’t stop falls. Window stops or guards that limit openings to about four inches help.
Move beds, cribs and climbable furniture away from windows, and supervise kids near open windows and balconies.
Make sure stops and guards release quickly so adults can use windows as an escape route in a fire.
Window safety rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Screens don’t stop falls
Screens keep bugs out. They are not strong enough to keep a child in.
- 2Limit the opening
Window stops that keep windows from opening more than about four inches help prevent falls.
- 3Move climbable furniture
Keep beds, cribs, couches and toy boxes away from windows.
- 4Keep escape in mind
Window guards and stops should release quickly for an adult in a fire.
A quick window safety check
From the guide’s own safety check and habits. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Fresh air, with peace of mind.
If a child falls
- Stay calm. Call 911 right away if a child falls from a window.
- Don’t move the child unless they are in immediate danger, and follow the dispatcher’s directions.
- Stay with the child until help arrives.
- Once everyone is safe, close and secure the window.
- Let the owner or manager know in writing what happened and what needs attention.
Please be gentle with yourself. Reaching out for support afterward is a sign of strength.
For owners: before a family moves in
From the guide. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. The home is ready to welcome a family.
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Series
When you want more than a guide, the books in The Perfect Series go room by room and step by step, in the same calm, plain words.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Family, Safety and Smart Home Checklist PackThe Family, Safety and Smart Home checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.See it in the shop
More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, medical or child-safety advice. Please follow local codes and the maker’s instructions for window stops and guards. Bunklow does not install safety devices.