We have several windows that are very low to the ground, and are swing out windows. The latch and the handle that you turn to open the window are both at the bottom of the window, so they are all very accessible to my son. We've tried to remove the handle, but it does not come out. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to childproof this window? One of them is in his bedroom, so I can't transition him to a toddler bed unti I take care of this.
Thanks for all the great ideas! We can't put a latch on the window because its a metal frame. I know a lot of people have suggested that, and thanks, but unfortunately that won't work for these windows. I was excited about the idea of unscrewing the screw that holds the handle on, but with the way the window sits in the frame, I can't get to the screw with a regular screw driver. I think I will take some pictures of the window and send them to people who know these windows. Thanks for that!!
The gates look like they may be our best bet (although some say they are not for crank-out windows - I can't see why they wouldn't work though). I'm just hoping I can screw them into the wall instead of the wooden frame. I hate to ruin the look of the wood. Besides, the wood frame is actually rounded, so the gate might not fit well against the wooden frame surface. GREAT ideas, ladies!! Thanks!!!
All I would caution against is doing anything to permanently disable the handles or doing something that an adult can't undo quickly. It is a safety issue also because you could need access to that escape route if there happen to be a fire.
When we lived in NYC every window in a child's room had to have a window guard on it. It was not attractive, but it served it's purpose. It looks like a metal grate that goes over the window and keeps the child from falling out. The window will still open and the grate was padlocked shut. We kept the key close by in the event of a fire.
I believe Lowe's or Home Depot has a childproofing section you may find what your looking for at either on of these store's,or you can ask in the home improvement section
If contacting the realty that sold you the home or the contractor who built your home is not an option...Take a picture of your windows, inside and out and go to a window store, they know their's and everone elses brands usually.
For a crank out windows, Anderson Windows dominated the market for a long time...they usually have a small screw in the base where the crank turns. Unscrew that and the handle comes off. We didn't put our windows in our burgler alarm system years ago, or other wise we couldn't open our windows at night. Caught one of our teenagers going out the window after curfuew....so you might need to remove the handle AGAIN when your child is older!! LOL, Cyn
Try hooks and eyes that you can pick up at any hardware store for less than $1. You might also try blocking the windows closed with a stick in the same way that you would with a sliding glass door.
Can you place a dresser or some other piece of furniture in front of the window? If you do, it won't be forever and it may save his life.
Can your husband attach a latch of some kind either on the outside or inside that is high enough your son can't reach it?
When my son was little, we had windows almost floor to ceiling in a rent house. His dad installed those expandable gates in the windows and anchored them to the window trim with brackets. This way he could still look out but since the gates were metal and wood, he couldn't fall. When we moved, we just filled the holes, sanded a bit and repainted the trim. the landlord was fine with it.
we had the same windows in our house when children were young, they had locks higher up and you simply pulled on handles and they came off, not like that with yours I guess.
If you tighten the knobs really tight your child would probably not be able to turn them to open them.
They also sell window locks that you place at the top of window, that could not be reached.
Hope all this gibberish helps
K.
You might try putting a hook and eye(screen door lock) at the top where he can't reach. oR even on the outside of the window.
I did a Google search for "Window Guard" and "Baby Proof Window" and found these links:
Would one of these work?
http://www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&a...
Or
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
Or
http://www.safe-tots.com/window_guards.htm
Hope this helps!
See if you can add another child safety lock to that window, at the top because you can never be too safe. Good luck & God Bless!
The only thing I can think of is to go get some latch hooks and put them on the windows up high. Make sure you get the ones that have saftey springs.
Take it from experience from a mother whose 1 1/2 year old fell 10 feet and face planted the driveway after pushing the screen and the frame of the screen with his head to watch rabbits eat clover in the front yard. With the window literally up less than 12 inches. (he was alright by the way except for road rash on his face and 2 chipped teeth.) Companies make bars that go from frame to frame that screw into the window frame. Put these in all window that are accessible. Good Luck!
does it have a lock? we had those type one time and there was a latch lock in the middle of the window higher than the crank and kept them locked. If you have enough space around the window maybe you could find a baby gate that would fit and put in the window. If it's a large window you could install the walkthrough type gate as they open wider and have both sides of the gate mounted to the wall so it can't be removed. Other than that I don't know what else would work.
