Almost 5,200 kids fall from windows in U.S. annually

[woo me with science]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2011-08/23/c_131067884.htm


Almost 5,200 kids fall from windows in U.S. annually
English.news.cn

BEIJING, August 23 (Xinhuanet) -- In the U.S., the rate of injuries related to children and teens falling out of windows declined over a 19-year period, although not nearly as fast as in some cities with comprehensive prevention programs, researchers found.

From 1990 to 2008, the overall rate of injuries in children and teens was 7.3 per 100,000 per year, going as high as 11.4 in 1992 and as low as 5.8 in 1999, according to Gary Smith, MD, DrPh, of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues.

The annual rate of injuries fell slightly but significantly over the study period, driven entirely by a reduction of 0.426 cases per 100,000 per year in children up to age four, the researchers reported online ahead of the September issue of Pediatrics.

That is much less than the reduction seen in previous studies of fall prevention programs in New York City and Boston, which achieved declines of up to 96 percent during a 10-year period through education, increased access to window guards, and a mandate to use window guards in certain homes (only in New York City).

(more at link)

[Orrex]

1. Some fall through screen windows and strain themselves.

Wait.

What?

[saras]

8. Too bad :rofl: doesn't work here

[laconicsax]

2. Solution:

http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=tdhTAAAAEBAJ

[hlthe2b]

3. I never understood how parents could not be absolutely paranoid with awareness for this...

I've never seen an abandoned refrigerator without wanting to run and check that its locking door handle had been removed. I've never had a puppy or kitten--much less a young child-- brought into my home without instinctively worrying about all the electrical cords. I once spent nearly an entire week affixing small gauge chicken wire on a balcony to ensure my pup could never fall through. When I see a harried and distracted parent with their child in a stroller, I find myself instinctively looking to make sure no one is around that might capitalize on the distraction and grab the child. And I have called for help several times (and even gone to court once) to ensure that pup locked in a hot car does not suffer a horrific death.

I am not special in this at all. This is just instinctive and is a trait shared by most people I know. So, why is it so many don't seem to share this awareness or even think twice about such dangers? :shrug: I really don't get it.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Lack of sleep. My boys would get into mischief early in the morning, before

my husband and I woke up. Or I'd sit down on the couch to watch kiddie TV with them, only to wake up 40 minutes later, alone in the room, with the sliding glass door wide open.

[hlthe2b]

14. Yes.... I can see that happening...

and certainly I know that bad things can happen.... just because and in spite of every effort.....Unfortunately...

[EFerrari]

10. When I read these stories, I want to kiss the floor in gratitude

that nothing like that happened to my kids because I was really young and they were very active. :scared:

[hlthe2b]

15. I know... one can only do so much and then hope.....

I realize that... I think my issue is with those seemingly lackadaisical parents that just seem to rely on being lucky--rather than trying so hard to anticipate and prevent dangerous encounters.... Then again, one can only do so much and perhaps my "overly-worrying" approach doesn't make much difference... :shrug:

[indurancevile]

16. they're too busy worrying about pedophiles & second-hand smoke.

[rug]

4. "The annual rate of injuries fell slightly"

[Orrex]

6. I see that you appreciate the gravity of this situation.

[rug]

7. It pains me to read about those poor children.

[Shagbark Hickory]

5. Brings back memories of sneaking out the window as a teenager.

[doc03]

11. We should regulate the sale of windows! n/t

[The Doctor.]

17. And make sure to do background checks on buyers.

Can't have too much transparency.

:evilgrin:

[athenasatanjesus]

12. I used to jump out my 2 story window all the time as a kid.

Sometimes onto the Volkswagen,sometimes onto the pavement.

[FLAprogressive]

13. BAN WINDOWS!!!1!11!!