EDMONTON — As families head outdoors and open windows to cool their homes this summer, health officials are urging parents and caregivers to be mindful of fall hazards around windows, balconies and decks.
Primary Care Alberta has launched a seasonal safety campaign encouraging families to take precautions around windows, balconies and other elevated areas, particularly where young children are present.
Health officials say toddlers and preschool-aged children face the greatest risk because they often learn to climb before they fully understand danger.
Every year in Alberta, children are injured after falling from windows and balconies, resulting in emergency department visits and, in some cases, hospitalization or death.
Primary Care Alberta says supervision remains the most effective way to prevent falls, but families are also encouraged to take additional safety measures at home.
Recommendations include keeping furniture such as beds, cribs, stools and change tables away from windows, installing window guards on upper-floor windows and using safety devices which limit how far windows can open.
Officials are also reminding families that window screens are designed to keep insects out, not to prevent children from falling.
Outdoor spaces can also present hazards. Primary Care Alberta recommends removing furniture and other climbable objects from balconies and decks and ensuring railings are spaced closely enough to prevent children from slipping through.
The warning comes as more Albertans open windows to cool their homes and spend time outdoors during the warmer months.
Primary Care Alberta says simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries and help keep children safe throughout the summer.
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