Washington, D.C. - Each year, one week in April is marked as National Window Safety Week. The National Safety Council (NSC) provides parents and caretakers with important safety tips that will help protect children year round. As spring arrives and there is a natural desire to open windows and let in fresh air, please be reminded of these important safety tips to help protect your child:

Windows can provide a secondary means of escape during a fire. Since windows provide a secondary means of escape from a burning home or building, every family should develop and practice an emergency escape plan in the event that fire or smoke blocks the primary exit. Children may have to rely on a window to escape in a fire, so help them learn to safely use a window under these circumstances.

Include windows in home emergency escape plans. Be sure to identify all doors and windows that can be used. Make sure they open easily. Keep escape routes free from clutter - toys, furniture, electrical cords and other potential tripping and falling hazards. Teach all household members to use windows and doors properly for escape and rescue purposes.

•Keep furniture, or anything children can use to climb, away from windows. Children may use such objects to climb to an open window and potentially fall.

•Remember that insect screens are intended to keep insects out. They are neither designed nor intended to keep children from falling out of windows and should not be expected to do so.

•When installing window guards or window fall prevention devices, be aware that the window guards or window fall prevention devices must have a release mechanism so that they can be opened for escape in a fire emergency.

•Select a device that complies with ASTM F2090, which provides minimum requirements for window fall prevention devices to ensure that they can be easily removed or opened when necessary. Consult your local fire department or building code official to determine proper window guard placement.

"As temperatures rise and home fires are increasingly in the headlines across the country, it's more important than ever for adults to take steps to enhance window safety," says Donna Stein Harris, Executive Director, National Safety Council's Home and Community Partnerships and Initiatives. "Remember that when it comes to safety, there's no substitute for adult supervision, so it's essential to teach children to keep play away from windows, doors, and balconies."

Two FREE printed resources on the topic of window safety are also available to order:

•Keeping the Promise of Safety" brochure provides helpful window safety tips. Individual brochures may be downloaded from the National Safety Councilweb site.

•For larger quantities (in quantities of 100), you may order them from the National Safety Council by contacting NSC Customer Service at: 800-621-7619, and ask for the "Keeping the Promise of Safety" brochure, product number 00006-6215.

•Window Safety Information Kit includes the "Keeping the Promise of Safety Brochure," as well as Window Safety Tip Sheets, Window Safety Checklist, Window Safety Press Release, and Window Safety Activity and Coloring Book.

•This kit is available free from the National Safety Council by contacting NSC Customer Service at 800-621-7619, and asking for the "Window Safety Information Kit," product number 00006-6210. You may order these in any quantity.

Source: Window & Door Manufacturers Association