Your home is a place of safety, not only for you but for your children. Being inside of it makes you feel secure and quite complacent about many things. However, danger always comes knocking at your door, specifically at your windows. Besides the door, the window is one of the biggest openings your house could have. It is transparent and could be easily opened by anyone depending on what kind it is. What if your child opens it and crawls up to it? That would be a disaster in the making. This is exactly why you must know how to childproof a window.
When you put baby and window in the equation, it almost always equates to trouble and accidents. This is especially true for windows at an elevated height, like the ones on the 2nd floor of your higher house. Do not let your child be endangered on the premises of your home. You will not always be there to supervise them, so the only thing you could do is acquire tools to help you at least secure the window so that your children would not be able to manipulate it into the opening easily.
What Should I Do to Keep My Babies Safe from Windows?
Like what was mentioned earlier, your child is not best compatible with your window because it might cause accidents and nasty situations. What you could do to prevent these from happening is to get and use some tools that might be able to stop your children from easily opening your windows.
There are three basic items you could use to childproof windows. The first one has a window screen that adds a layer of defense for your window. However, this is not the best solution because it could also be removed by even a child given an amount of force. With this, you could use another tool, which is a window wedge. This is a simple device placed on your window that limits its opening. Another item with the same function is the use of a window restrictor that limits the window opening, albeit some installation is required.
Besides these tools, you could also consult an interior designer on moving your windows higher than what your child could reach. This adds another layer of security and decreases the chances of access for your young ones to your window.
How to Install These Tools to Make Childproofing Windows
As mentioned earlier, there are tools for childproofing windows. The window wedge and the window restrictor would be the best choice, and knowing how to install these childproofing windows would be of great help. First off, we have the window wedge.
The window wedge could be easily installed. You must peel off an adhesive strip on the side of your window. Place it on the edge where it needs to be. However, it should be noted that adhesive tape placements depend on what kind of windows you have and how it opens. With that said, place your adhesive tape in a place so that the opening is only a few inches, you could adjust the height to your liking. Install the window wedge so that the opening would not be more than four inches. This is the maximum height where children would not be able to crawl into or put their head out. This could be used on horizontal sliding windows as well as double hung windows.
Next is the window restrictor that has a more flexible use. It could be used for many windows, and installation has more steps than the window wedge but easy. Jackloc is an example of a window restrictor, and for installation, it is provided with hardened steel security clutch screws that, once fitted, cannot be removed. However, alternative screws could be used if needed. For the first step, you would need to drill with a 3mm drill-bit to puncture a hole in the front of the frame of your window where you want the restrictor to be. Then, screw the base of the restrictor in the place you screwed holes into. Then you should measure the opening of your windows to be at least 100mm in length because this is the health and safety standard. After measuring, you should attach the other end of the restrictor to the window with the proper length in mind then screw it up tightly. Check the window if it opens properly and within the limited length.
Should I Be Worried About My Children Being Around Windows?
In normal circumstances where there is adult supervision, you do not have to be worried too much about having windows in your home. Windows are more than just an aesthetic piece that provides you interior a fresh look. It also provides breathing space for your home and a view of the outside, so you should not go as far as remove your windows just for your children’s safety. The need for childproofing windows is for added safety and security measures and in some ways and added peace of mind for yourself. Find out more about childproofing.
Conclusion
Learning how to childproof a window is indeed a helpful way to keep your home safe from unwanted accidents or dangerous scenarios. The tools and products to keep your childproof windows could indeed cause you some added expenses; however, the price of safety cannot be measured. Having these useful tools around to childproof windows are just an aid for your child’s safety. You should not be complacent with these around your home because, as a parent, it is still your responsibility to look after your child and keep them safe. There is no substitute for adult supervision, and your child’s safety practically rests upon your hands. Do not make a mistake caused by negligence because at the end of it the price you must pay for it might be too much even for you.