Every year as the weather warms, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department of Alberta Health Services (AHS) is called upon to respond to more calls of children falling from windows and balconies.

EMS are out to prevent as many of these tragic falls from happening as they possibly can and are giving some advice to prevent them.

"Particularly this year, with more families spending more time at home than they might typically, we do see an uptick in these types of calls, says Helene Hamilton, Acting Public Education Officer and Primary Health Care Paramedic with AHS. "We definitely get quite a few each year and it's definitely a preventable situation, which is really why we want to get the word out."

Hamilton explains there is something they want everyone to remember when it comes to preventing children from falling from a window. "First and foremost, we encourage everyone to remember that screens and screen doors are designed to keep bugs out, they're not designed to keep people or children in. They're not durable and they can be removed easily from the force of a small child pushing against them."

Hamilton says educating your children when they get a bit older is an excellent idea but it might not be quite so easy for younger kids.

"With older children, we can teach them about window and screen safety, so not leaning against a window or open screen and let them know that it doesn't take much to push that screen out. For younger children who might not understand that prevention is always our biggest focus."

Hamilton says prevention involves stopping access from windows by moving furniture like cribs, beds, stools, and change tables away from them. You should also keep drapery cords out of the reach of children and wrap excess cords around cleats or tie-downs to avoid a choking hazard.

Hamilton says while people who live in high-rise apartments may think about window and balcony safety, people with a two-story home or even a ground floor apartment also need to be aware. "A small child falling out that first-floor window could sustain injuries that could be life-altering."

Other tips to prevent window or balcony falls include:

Do not underestimate a child’s ability to climb. Furniture and other items stored on balconies and decks can be used to climb resulting in falls over the railing
Ensure that your balcony railings are not more than 10 cm (4 inches) apart. This will eliminate access between the vertical bars of a balcony or deck
Toddlers & preschoolers are at highest risk of falling from a window, or balcony, but it may happen at any age; 
Direct supervision of children is the single most effective way to prevent falls from windows and balconies; 
Install safety devices which limit the distance in which a window be can open to a maximum of 10cm (4 inches); 
Ensure the safety device can be released quickly, so the window can be used for escape in case of emergency. 
Consider purchasing a portable air conditioner, which will enable windows to stay closed & secure

AHS EMS is proud to be a member of the Partners Promoting Window and Balcony Safety. Hamilton says to take time to assess your home for window and balcony hazards and eliminate the risks before a preventable fall occurs. Visit windowsafety.ca for more information.