SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/safety-window-screen-not-guard

Can an ordinary window screen prevent a child from falling out?

No. Use proper window guards or stops.

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  1. Yes, every screen is structural
  2. Yes, if the window is upstairs
  3. No, screens are not fall guards ✔

Why: Screens are designed for insects, not to hold a child's weight. Proper guards or stops address the fall hazard.

Huh, didn't know that: With window guards, CPSC says at least one window in each room must still open easily for a fire escape.

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References

Answer: No, screens are not fall guards. Screens are designed for insects, not to hold a child's weight. Proper guards or stops address the fall hazard.

  1. Childproofing Your Home, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/kids-and-babies/Childproofing-Your-Home
    window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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