Spring Is Here. The Season When NJ Children Fall From Open Windows

NEW JERSEY — It happens every year. And this particular ER doctor has had enough.

Every April and May, as these first few weeks of glorious warm weather settle into the Garden State, a toddler or small child tumbles from an open window. The falls can be from the second floor. Or from the tenth floor.

In the past four years, about 30 small children have been rushed into the University Hospital Newark ER after they fell from windows, according to Dr. Virteeka Sinha, a pediatric ER doctor at the hospital, who has treated this horror firsthand.

"Most of these falls occurred in May, when people are opening windows again after the winter," said Dr. Sinha. "In the past four-year period, there were about 30 children seen in our emergency department with injuries from window falls."

Heartbreakingly, some of those 30 children did not survive.

"Most were boys around 4-and-a-half years old, an age when children are still inquisitive, running around and when parents start to relax supervision," she continued. "Most injuries occurred in the head and neck region. Injuries included but were not limited to bleeding in the brain, liver injuries and fractures to the skull, arms and legs."

She also said window falls usually happen during these first few beautiful weeks of spring, when people have had their windows closed all winter and may not immediately recognize the risks.

Window falls do happen more frequently at high-rise apartment buildings, but children can also fall — and die — from regular, two-story suburban homes.

Dr. Sinha is also an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and she wants to make all New Jersey parents — and grandparents, aunts/uncles and babysitters — aware of the risks.

Past coverage: 4-year-old boy falls from sixth floor window in Newark (May 2021) The child was last listed in stable condition.

Newark Girl, 4, Was 'Playing' Before Fall Out Window (May 2018) She was last listed in critical condition; her fate is unknown. She was the second Newark child to fall from a window that May. Earlier that month, Yodia Encarnacion, 6, fell three stories through an open window in Newark that may have had a screen. She was allegedly jumping on the bed with several other children prior to the fall. She died.

3-Year-Old Injured Falling From 3rd Story Window In Hackettstown (August 2017)

Dr. Sinha, what can parents and caregivers do to keep children safe?

"Install a window guard or an American Society for Testing and Materials F2090-compliant device that limits how far a window can open," she said. "Unlike other places like New York City, New Jersey does not mandate that landlords install window guards in buildings where children ages 10 or under live. However, they must install these safeguards in a residence if a tenant requests it."

Do not let children play on couches near open windows, or jump on beds near open windows

"When young children are present, keep windows closed and locked," she said. "Never place a bed, chair or other objects onto which children can climb close to a window. If a child sits on the back of a couch against an open window, he can topple out."

"For a similar reason, do not let children jump on beds or furniture located close to windows," she added. "Adult supervision is always recommended — especially when children are around in areas with open windows or when they are on a balcony. It is also important to have a conversation about window safety with other adults involved in childcare — babysitter, grandparents, friends and family. These falls can happen at homes other than yours."

What do you most want people to know about window risks?

"Window fall injuries can happen anywhere, anytime and not just from high-rise buildings. Childproofing with appropriate window guards is essential. It is important to remember that temporary screens, insect screens or similar devices do not provide adequate protection."

Nationally, what is the data on how common window falls are for children?

Every year, about eight children ages 5 or younger across America die after they fall out of a window, according to Rutgers University.

And thousands more children do not die, but suffer horrible injuries in window falls every spring and summer: 3,300 children across the nation are injured falling from a window, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The first week of April is Window Safety Week, as designated by the National Safety Association.

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