Window Latches, Locks and Stops Save Lives
Apr 04, 2022Window Safety: Window Latches , Locks & Stops Save Lives
Easy-to-use window safety features keep kids, pets, and homes safer
The arrival of spring weather marks the perfect time of year to open your windows and let the fresh air in. That also makes it the best time of year to celebrate Window Safety Week!
What is Window Safety Week?
Created by the National Safety Council (NSC) in 1997, Window Safety Week is observed every year during the first week of April. The Improveit team uses this time to bring important attention to window safety and the window features that can keep you and your family safe at home.
According to the NSC, more than 3,300 children are injured every year from falling out of window. Sadly, an average of eight children under age 5 die from their injuries.
The NSC’s Window Safety Task Force brings awareness to these highly preventable statistics. But even without young children at home, window safety is essential for all homeowners to keep in mind. Here are some easy window safety tips you can start using today.
Window safety locks Keep Windows Closed tight
Every type of operable replacement window should come equipped with window safety locks that secure the sash inside the frame. On double-hung or slider windows, the locks are usually found on the rail in the center of the window. Other window types, like casement, awning, and hopper, have window locks along the bottom or side of the frame.
Any time your windows are closed, it’s a good idea to engage the window locks. This is the easiest way to protect young children from window dangers, and offers an added deterrent to potential thieves who will not be able to open a locked window from outside the home.
If your windows don’t have locks, it’s probably time to replace them. Take our quiz to find out.
engage Window Stops to add Safety to open windows
Most double-hung windows, and some slider windows, feature a hidden safety benefit built right into the window’s top sash. These pop-out window safety stops let you to open either sash just a few inches. This gives you the benefit of a ventilation without the risk of someone or something falling through the window. The video at the top of this article shows how to engage and disengage your window stops.
For added protection, consider opening the top sash only. On double-hung windows, the top sash is usually out of children’s reach, and also helps eliminate the opportunity for pinched fingers when closing windows.
Check Window Latches after Cleaning
Window latches are another important window safety feature. On tilt-in double-hung windows, you’ll find the tilt latches on either side of the sash’s top rail. Releasing these allows the sash to tilt in for easy cleaning – but always make sure to re-engage them properly to keep the sash secure. Window sashes are heavy, and unsecured latches could allow the sash to fall forward and cause injury.
This quick video shows how to use the latches to tilt your window sashes for cleaning.
>> Learn more about Parts of a Window on our Resources tab.
tips for Window Safety at Home
In addition to locking your windows, checking the latches, and using safety stops to help prevent dangerous situations, the NSC offers these tips for window safety at home:
- Window screens are NOT a safety feature and should NEVER be used as a fall prevention device.
- In homes with young children, use windows that are out of the child’s reach.
- Supervise children in rooms with open windows, and move play areas away from windows.
- Avoid placing furniture near windows
The NSC also recognizes that windows could be your family’s lifeline in an emergency. Follow these Dos and Don’ts to ensure your windows are a safe way to escape your home in a fire or other situation, and don’t present a fire hazard on their own.
As a window replacement company, Improveit that knows the value of our Performax54 windows is as much in their safety and reliability as it is in their energy efficiency. If your windows are broken, difficult to operate, don’t offer the safety features mentioned here, or have safety features that don’t work properly, please reach out for a free consultation. Improveit will be honored to help create a safer home for you and your family!
