As temperatures climb across Alberta, many families are turning to open windows and balconies to cool their homes, but health officials are warning that this can pose a serious safety risk for young children.
According to Alberta Health Services, toddlers and preschoolers are particularly vulnerable, as they often learn to climb before they walk.
Each year, emergency responders are called to assist children who have fallen from windows or balconies. In 2024, 85 per cent of window fall-related injuries seen at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and Alberta Children’s Hospital involved children under the age of six.
To help prevent these types of accidents, AHS is urging families to take simple safety steps:
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Be cautious of open windows, even those with screens. Screens are not strong enough to prevent falls.
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Keep cribs, beds, stools, and change tables away from windows.
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Install window guards on all second-floor windows and above.
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Use window safety devices that limit how wide a window can open—no more than 10 cm (about four inches).
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Remove outdoor furniture or items on balconies that children could climb.
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Make sure balcony railings have vertical bars no more than 10 cm apart.
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AHS emphasizes that supervision remains the most effective way to prevent childhood injuries. For more fall prevention tips and safety resources, visit Healthy Parents Healthy Children or MyHealth.Alberta.ca.