Pella Encourages Families to Practice Window Safety Year-Round

— National Window Safety Week is April 4 - 10 —

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Mar 30, 2010, 01:30 ET

PELLA, Iowa, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As families open their windows to welcome in fresh air, Pella Corporation encourages them to take safety precautions year-round to help avoid accidental falls.

Each year, Pella teams up with the National Safety Council (NSC) to promote window and door safety. National Window Safety Week is April 4 –10.

"Whether you're a parent, a caregiver or have young children visiting your home, keep an eye on children and keep their play away from windows and doors," said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella's window safety spokesperson and a NSC Window Safety Task Force member. "Following a few simple safeguards, like keeping windows closed and locked when not in use to let in fresh air, can help protect your family when it comes to observing window safety."

Every year in the U.S., about 4,700 children are injured by falls from windows, according to window safety organization The Timothy Healy Foundation. In the majority of these cases, the fall occurred within the child's own home. More than 70 percent of window falls are from the second or third story; however, even falling from a first-floor window can cause injury, according to the foundation.

Pella suggests these tips to help enhance home safety:

Keep furniture like beds or dressers away from windows. Furniture placed directly under a window can entice a child to climb.
Keep children's play away from windows, doors and balconies to help prevent an accidental fall or injury.
Remember, insect screens are designed to provide ventilation and to keep insects out, NOT to prevent falls. For added safety, consider installing window guards or window fall prevention devices that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
Keep windows closed and locked when not in use. When opening windows for ventilation, open those that a child cannot easily reach, like the top sash on a double-hung window.
Window treatments with traditional cords can contribute to childhood injuries. For added protection, choose blinds and shades with no room-side cords like Pella's Designer Series® windows and patio doors, with between-the-glass blinds, shades and decorative panels.

For more tips on window and door safety:

National Safety Council, nsc.org
The Timothy Healey Foundation, windowsafe.org
Window Guard, windowguard.org

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pella.com. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News.

Note to media: Need images or additional home safety information? Visit pressroom.pella.com, click on "Fast Facts" and then "Window safety tips". Also, see "Important fire safety tips" Fast Fact for information about Pella's Close the door on fire! campaign.

SOURCE Pella Corporation