Update: Temecula child remains in critical condition at area hospital – Residents look to window safety measures at home

Temecula Paseo Del Sol neighborhood where toddler fell from second story window.

UPDATE:

As of Monday, June 2, 2014, the child who fell from a second story window of a Temecula Paseo Del Sol home on Rothenberg Drive remains in an area hospital and is listed in critical condition.

According to neighbors, the child was not a toddler as originally reported, but a child between ages of 4 and 6, who fell from the window, landed on a car, then fell to the concrete.

“We were told by a member of the family that the boy is in a medically induced coma at this time.” Stated John, a neighbor of the Rothenberg residents on Monday morning. The family is hopeful that the child will reach full recovery, and prayers are much appreciated.

READ: Temecula child falls from upstairs window in Paseo Del Sol neighborhood, injuries unknown at local area hospital

Neighbors are rallying in support of the family, though the details of the fall remain under investigation. Meanwhile, the Riverside County Sheriffs processed the scene prepared for any outcome.

WINDOW RELATED SAFETY: How safe are your children?

This accident reminds parents, grandparents, and childcare givers that window safety — as well as fall-related safety — should be treated with the utmost importance. How much access to open windows is granted to inquisitive children, should be monitored. “There is no substitute for careful monitoring of children,” states the National Safety Council’s window safety guidelines.  According to the Nationwide Children’s Center for Injury Research and Policy, “Every year, over 5,100 children younger than 18 years of age are treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for injuries related to falls from windows.”

Use These Prevention Tips:

• In homes with children, install window guards on all second-story or higher windows.
• Use window stops to prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches.
• Window screens are not designed to stop a child from falling. A normal window screen is NOT enough to keep children safe.
• It is best to purchase window guards with a quick release mechanism. This will allow the window to be opened easily by an adult in the case of a fire emergency.
• Install locks on sliding windows to prevent children from opening them.
• Move all furniture away from windows. Children can climb on furniture to access windows that are otherwise out of reach.
• Create soft landing surfaces such as bushes or plant beds under windows to help prevent serious injuries in case of a fall.
• Do not allow children to play on fire escapes, roofs or balconies.
• Make sure that older children understand the dangers of climbing out of or jumping from windows.
• Young children should never be left at home unsupervised.

Program Manager for the National Safety Council, Amy Artuso Heinzen, had this to say about education and prevention of window-fall related accidents. “Tragic and often preventable window falls can happen in just seconds. When it comes to window safety, there is no substitute for the importance of adult supervision of children around windows to help keep them safe. However, there are simple steps that parents and caregivers can take to aide in preventing these tragedies with young children.”

Though research indicates most falls do not cause death, those that do usually occur from great heights or onto hard surfaces. “Falls from windows cause more severe injuries and deaths than any other type of fall.” States the NCCIRP web site. “Therefore, it is very important for parents to understand the risk of window falls and to take proper steps to help prevent them.”

The National Safety Council recently focused on the importance of practicing window safety in the home. “National Window Safety Week” was designed to heighten awareness on preventing unintentional window falls and the proper use of windows for emergency escape purposes.” Stated the National Safety Council Web site. “Falls from a window can result in serious injury or death and pose an especially dangerous threat for children.”

For more information, visit: http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/cirp-window-falls

Or watch this informative video:

About Ashley Ludwig

Ashley Ludwig is an Editor for Patch News, Orange County and Los Angeles. She is also an inspirational romantic suspense author.

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