Toddler Opening 2Nd Story Window

Scary, isn't it?

Our son hasn't fallen out (thank god)... but he came downstairs at one point looking guilty when he was 4. Long story short... his screen was on the grass below his window. It was the reinforced type that locks into the frame. The heart attack causing answer to how it ended up on the grass?

"It wouldn't come out... So I ran at it."

5 moms found this helpful

If the window is one that slides' across you can buy a piece of steel from any hardware store. It sits on the ledge and has a screw in it, this is where you adjust it with an Allen Key as to where you want it to open. I would think you could use it on a window that goes up as well. It would be able to be put on the frame itself. They are very sturdy and believe me, no child can open it.
An adult has a hard time to as well. Not to worry. I can't remember the name but if you explain to the sales rep. I'm sure they will know what I'm talking about. They use them in alot of apts' so children can't open the windows, and make sure to mention the fact that you tighten/loosen with an AllenKey.
Once you see it in place you will feel so much better and not in a panic.
Good luck, and I hope you can find this item. Even a window shop should know what your talking about. Take care, it will all work out!!

3 moms found this helpful

It's a real concern and danger, especially with toddlers. Our childproofer wouldn't secure them because of liability concerns. For safety, it's best to leave windows closed and locked at all times, although you never know when someone might open one and forget to close it (guest, housekeeper, etc) - as happened with Eric Clampton's son who fell from a 53rd story window a janitor had left open.

Childproofing locks are OK but tend to be on the flimsy side - for windows, it's better to look for heavy-duty solutions. I consulted with a locksmith and a safety expert from Safekids and they offered the following:

* For windows that slide from side to side, the locksmith said there are window locks you can buy at Home Depot with a key. However, in the event of a fire, these can be dangerous if there is no easy access out. He suggested getting the type with a thumb screw, and placing one lock on the bottom of the sill and one on the top track. "PRIME-LINE (SLIDE-CO) U 9982 WINDOW LOCK WHITE PK/2" - amazon sells them but S&H is very steep so look for them in your local hardware store.

I use these all over my house and have them secured about 4 inches to the left of the window, to allow for ventilation but not enough for a child to put their head through.

* Window guards - http://www.angelguards.com has the widest assortment of window guards made of durable steel, to fit all sizes and types of windows and to keep children safe. These are not permanently secured - there is an emergency release in case of a fire. A video on the site shows how it works and how to remove it. One Step Ahead offers one of their models with several dozen parent reviews:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Window alarms are sometimes effective but can also sound false alarms at ear-piercing levels; others stick to windows only to fall off when the temperature drops below freezing. Check out amazon reviews before buying.

For sliding glass doors, you can use a charley bar or a security lock (Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar) and two of the locks mentioned above. Good to travel with too, for childproofing your hotel room.

Finally, these products, as well as 38 others recommended by several experts, are on my amazon listmania:

http://www.amazon.com/Child-proof-safety-101-best-product...

2 moms found this helpful

It depends on how curious your son is. My sons never touch the windows, I am on ground level so I have locks for night time safety. My friends daughter has always been curious though. Before she was two, she opened the sliding glass door and was running to the street while mom was cooking dinner. She opens windows and pokes holes in the screen. It has just always been her personality.

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter's bed is by a window (she's 3 1/2) and I was worried about the same thing. Our solution was to get a piece of clear plexiglass from a hardware store (Home Depot has it ) that's the same width as the window but only half or a quarter of the length/heigth and attach it to the window. This still allowed air to circulate when the window was open but the gap was not big enough for her to squeeze through and fall out. They also make window locks which prevents the window from opening more than about 6 inches. The plexiglass worked best for us but there are many options out there. Good luck :)

we raised the window up about 4 inches (enough for air when it is hot) and then pounded a nail in the side of the window frame sticking out several inches so that the window could not be raised any more than that. the nail would stop the window from going up. it works.

It is a very scary thing. You have to reinforce the learning of steering clear. There are all sorts of window locks to protect them from falling out. I know we are nervous as well, we live on the second floor. Right now my son is in a crib and has not tried to climb out. (21 months). But he does like to get up in the window in the living room. We are very strict that he gets down from there and keep reinforcing this with him. When we do go to a toddler bed/twin bed, we will get some type of lock for his room's window to keep him safe.
Good luck.

wow. my first thought is that you're being paranoid. we lived in second story units until our son was almost 3 1/2. never had a problem. does he seem fascinated with them? does he try to open them? ours never looked at them twice. with all the precautions you've taken i really don't think it should be a problem...you're basically talking about a window that will have three locks on it. and he's 2 not 4. one thing i could suggest is getting a baby monitor or pulling it back out if you used to use one. but there's really only so much you can do and at that point you really just have to let it go. millions of children grow up in 2nd story bedrooms and are just fine. and accidents can happen anywhere!

I think that you can get safety inserts to prevent accidents. I would call a window company and ask, you might get some peace of mind.

I just bought two window locks for my two sons. My oldest (5) has figured out how to unlock it, but my 4 year old has not yet.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3502243
It is easy to set up and your two year old should not be able to unlock it just yet.
That stuff is scary. I feell much better since we have the locks.
However, I set it that high that in case of emergency they could still squeeze through it, if they had to.

my son used to climb in the window in the living room. We live on the second store i was very concerned for his saftey so my step dad went to Lowes and bought some 2x2 and some ladice, like for in the garden, he screwed the ladice to the 2x2s and screwed the whole thing into the window frame...its high enough that if he were to try to climb in the window again he wouldnt go anywhere. It was pretty simple and it keeps it so should we ever need to get out in a fire we could still open the window and put the kids over the top. Plus this way we can open the window and leave it that way without worrying.....and it looks pretty cute too. My stepdad has actually made them for 4 other moms in our buliding that have kids....it works. good luck

my grandpa used to run a dowel rod from corner to corner on the top part of the window to keep people from breaking in this might work to. it keeps the window from sliding up.