Nobody ever said that babyproofing a house was easy. It takes a lot of planning and foresight to prevent accidents involving such energetic and curious babies and toddlers. But at the end of the day, seeing your bundle of joy safe and sound is well worth the effort.
The good news is that babyproofing can be made easier. When it comes to window baby proofing, for example, choosing the right window styles can make a world of difference. Though virtually any home window can be turned into a childproof window, some designs will require less intrusive installations.
Read our complete guide to discover the window styles that are easiest to convert into childproof windows. We will also talk about how window baby proofing is done for the following window styles:
- Casement and awning windows;
- Sliders and hung windows; and
- Bay and bow windows.
1. Casement and Awning Windows
When it comes to the perfect childproof window, these types rank high in terms of efficiency.
A casement window is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side. These types of windows can be used as singles or in pairs within a common frame.
Awning windows are quite similar. They have hinges at the top of the frame and swing outwards from the bottom. Awning windows also bring their A-game in the field of optimal ventilation and light, both of which are vital to our overall well-being.
Casement and awning windows are crank-operated, which means that they are among the easiest windows to baby proof. If your windows are equipped with removable handles, all you have to do is unscrew them, store them in a safe place, and reattach them as needed. Another option is a sash limiter, which is a mechanism that prevents a casement window from opening wide beyond a specific limit.
These simple yet effective life hacks will ensure that your precious little one won't be able to exit through the window.
2. Sliders and Hung Windows
Slider windows, either double or single, have two side-by-side sashes or moveable panels. To open and close them, they need to be moved from side to side. As you may already have noticed, slider vinyl windows are among the most popular choices for homeowners. So how does window baby proofing work for this style?
Night Latches
Hung and slider windows can come equipped with the night latch feature, which has a lock cab that allows you to open the window a few inches for ventilation but stops the window from being pushed fully open. This feature is great for security as it ensures no one can open the window far enough to cut or push in the screen and enter.
Window Stops
If your home is equipped with sliders and hung windows, you'll be glad to know that these types of windows are also extremely easy to baby proof.
All you need is a couple of window stops!
Window stops are handy, wedge-like devices that prevent a window from opening beyond a certain point. Aside from being reliable tools that keep your babies safe from potential injuries, they are also visually discreet.
Charley Bars
Charley bars are another viable option to child-proof your windows.
Charley bars are akin to a boom gate, which means that you can freely open your sliding window when the bar is in a vertical position. When you want to keep your window closed and inaccessible to your child, drop the bar in a horizontal position.
It is important to note that this fixture should be placed upside-down in order to be out of your children's reach.
3. Bay and Bow Windows
Bay and bow windows are similar in many ways. Their primary difference is that bay windows consist of a picture window in the middle with two different kinds of windows on both sides. Additionally, bay windows have sleek, hard angles. On the flipside, bow windows have the same sectioned style yet a whole rounded structure.
Bay and bow windows can be child-proofed with a combination of window guards and screens.
Alternative Window Baby Proofing Solutions
Don't worry if your household has different types of windows than the ones covered above, because there are still other window baby proofing options at your disposal.
If this is your case, then you can opt for window guards, which are grilles that usually cover the entire expanse of the window. Installed from the inside, these temporary fixtures keep babies safe from window-related injuries. Thanks to the telescoping bar that slides out to fit your window's size, you can rest assured that the windows stay locked in place. At the same time, in case of an emergency, adults can easily open them.
Baby Proof Your Windows for a Safer Household
The fundamental stage in securing your windows is installing premium quality windows.
At Clera Windows + Doors, we specialize in state-of-the-art windows that can be customized to your specific needs. With structural integrity and hardware that are second to none, the windows we produce will be fully equipped with all the necessary components to keep your children safe and sound.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our childproof windows!
