6-year-old falls out of third-story window in Dorchester

By adamg on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 9:02am

WBZ report on the 2 a.m. incident on Magnolia Street.

Neighborhoods:

Dorchester

Topics:

Parenting

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Comments

Third case in the Boston area

By The first anon, replying on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 10:06am.

Third case in the Boston area I heard this year. I am not judging the parents but maybe one of these regional agencies needs to put out PSA's on the best way to protect young children in apartments. A lot of people don't think that their children will climb up and the presence of the screen gives them a sense of structure when in reality most screens pop right out with even minimum pressure applied.

Safety bars in place

By Allstonian on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 10:27am.

If you had looked at the linked report, you would have learned that the window in question (and, per the photos, several other windows in the apartment) had safety bars in place.

Safety bars are good.

By dmcboston on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 11:12am.

There are other issues besides the 'kids can't fly' aspect.
First, most people want 'burglar' bars on lower windows to prevent break ins. Fine, but now you've got one hell of a fire trap. So, in the eighties they came out with the bars that padlock from the inside. Not perfect, but better.
Windows that are higher up (I forget the height, 780 CMR might refer to it) don't need screens to prevent insect infestation. I think the height is six stories.
So, any window protection that is designed to keep kids in should, you know...keep kids in.
And yes, there's a way to do it. There's a product out there that is a stainless steel mesh. It's tough stuff. Properly mounted, no kid will find a way through it.
Best part, it's not a fire trap. It can be cut through with something like a linoleum knife. Not easy to do, but possible.

I'm surprised it's not everywhere. There must be a reason...and I hope it's not cost.

Yep

By JohnAKeith on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 10:57am.

Yes, seems as though there should be a new round of reminders sent out or shared with families in all neighborhoods.

Yes, the windows often have the guards, and new screens come with warnings about children near windows but apparently not enough help!

Warnings

By dmcboston on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 11:17am.

Don't ever put kids beds near windows. They can bounce right out.
Consider using the 'burglar tabs' that are found on most modern windows. They limit the vertical opening to about five inches or so
I don't think the kids (unless they're really young) are trying to get out. I think they just get attracted to the window then slip or lean against a screen, thinking it might hold them.
A printed warning was put there by a lawyer. It's no good. The window has to be kid-proof.

So nice that you have that kind of space

By anon on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 4:48pm.

Not every family has the luxury of putting the bed somewhere not near a window.

Secure guards are the best way to go.

I'm not talking about trailers.

By dmcboston on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 9:48pm.

I'm talking about houses. Houses tend to have interior walls. Tougher for a kid to bounce out a window if he's (or she) playing on the bed.
If you read my earlier post, you'd know a little about 'secure guards' and why the problem isn't as simple as some folks think.

Adam, the adhominenonymous trash around here are really getting pathetic.