As spring arrives, the Window Safety Task Force of the National Safety Council (NSC) is encouraging parents and caregivers to recognize the importance of practicing window safety year-round. Window Safety Week, observed next week, is a chance to spotlight that cause.

According to NSC, each year about eight children under the age of five die from falling out a window.

Falls from a window can result in serious injury or death and pose an especially dangerous threat for children. According to NSC, each year about eight children under age five die from falling out a window, and more than 3,300 are injured seriously enough to go to the hospital.

“It only takes seconds for a preventable window fall to occur,” says Amy Artuso, program manager for the National Safety Council. “To avoid these needless tragedies, it is very important for parents and caregivers to take steps to prevent home falls.”

To protect children, the task force offers eight tips:

1. When young children are around, keep windows closed and locked;
2. When opening a window for ventilation, use those located out of a child’s reach;
3. Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent young children from climbing;
4. Don’t allow children to jump on beds or other furniture to help reduce potential falls;
5. Don’t rely on insect screens to prevent a window fall. Insect screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in the home;
6. Supervise children to keep child’s play away from windows, balconies or patio doors;
7. Install ASTM F2090-compliant devices designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards (with quick-release mechanisms in case of fire or other emergency) to help prevent a fall; and
8. Teach your child how to safely use a window to escape during an emergency, such as a fire.

Gratz, Pa.-based MI Windows and Doors is also doing its job to decrease the risks associated with windows. The company is teaming up with American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WMDA) and the NSC to raise awareness.

“We stress the safety of our team within our plants as our top priority every day,” says Mike Troutman, director of safety and environmental at MI. “We encourage families—our own team members, our customers and the homeowners using our windows—to put an equal emphasis on safety in their homes, paying special attention during this important Window Safety Week.”