Every year, dozens of children accidentally fall from a window or balcony. These everyday accidents have devastating consequences, especially since they mostly occur among very young children.

Some statistics

According to the latest survey conducted in 2013¹ by Santé publique France in collaboration with Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital:

• accidental falls from great heights mainly affect children under 6 years of age (62%), mostly boys (70%);

• in 49% of cases, the fall occurred even though the opening was equipped with a safety guard, and in 50% of cases, a piece of furniture was positioned beneath the opening;

• in 82% of falls, an adult was present in the home at the time of the fall. A piece of furniture was located beneath the opening in more than half of the cases.

These accidents mainly occur during meal preparation times in the spring and summer.

Learn more about the survey

A poster campaign to encourage vigilance

To raise awareness among parents of young children and inform them about precautions to prevent falls from windows, Santé publique France is distributing two posters. They remind parents never to leave a child unattended near an open window or on a balcony, nor to place furniture or objects in these areas that young children could “climb” on.

These posters are being distributed to public housing agencies, municipal social action centers, family allowance offices, daycare centers, pediatricians, maternal and child health clinics, and hospital emergency departments.

All prevention tips at: www.prévention-maison.fr

See

Learn more:

• Falling from windows surveys 2013, 2006, 2005

• Accidental falls report

• Report on falls involving young children

¹ 2013 Fall from Windows Survey conducted between March 15 and October 15, 2013, in three regions: Île-de-France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.