The Internet, TV and print media are literally filled with reports of tragedies that are associated with the fall of people from the upper floors. Unfortunately, the statistics are exacerbated by children, who always fall out of windows by accident, unlike adults (nobody canceled suicides). The reason lies in most cases in the imperfect design of windows and the irresponsibility of parents. But the situation is gradually changing, and today manufacturers pay special attention to the installation of special systems and devices that make windows safer for children. We will talk about them further.
How to make a window even safer
Now for some statistics. The most dangerous age when children fall out of windows is 2-4 years. A third of all cases occur in front of adults, the remaining cases occur within the first 15 minutes, as the child was left unattended. The main reason is the curiosity of children at this age: they actively explore the world, but don’t yet understand what security is, unlike older children.
Also, the cause is often a mosquito net, which seems to be securely installed on the window, but in fact it has an unreliable retainer: the latch pops out of the semicircular retainer with a slight pressure of only a few kilograms; the child thinks that he has found a reliable support, and falls out of the window. Also, a child can get hurt on a sharp window sill or cut himself by breaking glass.
Problems need to be solved in several ways:
Install high strength double glazing.
Limit children’s access to the openings between the window sashes as much as possible.
Lock hardware.
Close sharp corners on the windowsill.
Now let’s talk in more detail about the systems that families with young children need to buy in order to avoid tragedy.
Handles with locks
This is the easiest way to block a window. The technology is as follows: you change an ordinary handle to a handle with a lock, and if necessary, you block it by turning the key. This way, when you close the window, turn the key and hide it in a safe place, you can be sure that the child will not open the window sash. The popularity of this method lies in its advantages:
You don’t have to look for extra space in the window, you just change the handles.
You can fix the handle not only in the closed position, but also in the open position.
Such a system is suitable for almost any windows.
The child is guaranteed not to be able to cope with the blocker without a key.
You will also protect yourself from intruders entering, as long as they are not going to break the glass.
Installation is easy to do yourself, as it doesn’t take much time and does not require the use of special tools. If the key is lost, a new core can be inserted.
Lock in the sash
Such a lock is installed in the window sash, the locking mechanism is activated when the key is turned and the structure can’t be opened without a key. But the system has flaws.
Firstly, if the structure is locked, then you will not be able to ventilate the window, which can be a problem in warm weather.
Secondly, the installation of the lock is carried out directly in the profile, which may not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Thirdly, you will have to install a new lock if the key is lost; and the child may try to open the window sash if the key is left in the door hole.
Users are much more likely to prefer handles with locks for precisely these reasons.
Push button lock
The button with the locking mechanism is mounted on the handle, less often on the window sash. You just need to press it so that the window doesn’t open. Everything is very convenient. But there is a catch: there is no guarantee that the child will not unravel the «secret» and will not be able to open the window on his own. Random press can also unlock the system.
Window sash blocker
Another reliable system that allows you to completely block the opening of the window. It’s a rotary latch that blocks when raised the free movement of the window sash. After that, its position is fixed with a key, and turning to open the window becomes impossible.
But you will not be able to put the window sash in the ventilation mode during blocking, which limits the functionality. Another problem is the possibility of losing the key. Installation of such a blocker is not difficult.
Lock with ventilation limiter
In this system, the lock is installed in the lower part of the active window sash. You can carry out ventilation, and the child will not be able to climb into a narrow opening, and it will be impossible to open the window completely. If the child is supervised, then you can easily unlock the window sash with a key.
Removable handle
In this system, a device with a socket plug is installed instead of a handle. It’s removed from the nest with a simple movement, and it becomes impossible to open the window. System advantages:
Easy to use.
Doesn’t require a key.
Can be blocked in ventilation mode.
When the child is under supervision, the handle is quickly put into place, and you can use the window again.
Blocker with restriction of the window sashes opening
The blocker is a cable of a certain length, which is mounted on the passive window sash on one side, and on the active window sash on the other. It’s like chains on doors. It’s used on windows in which there is no «window leaf» mode. The part that is fixed to the active window sash has a key hole. If you need to limit the opening of the window sash, then you install the free end of the cable into the mechanism and turn the key. Thus, the window sash can only be opened by the length of the cable, and the child will not be able to climb out through a narrow opening.
In addition, don’t forget to install impact-resistant triplex double-glazed windows or use anti-vandal film for especially active children. Cover sharp corners on window sills with smoothing overlays.
If you use the above recommendations, you can’t worry about the safety of your child, especially about falling out of windows.