VANCOUVER — With the arrival of warmer weather, health and safety officials are issuing an urgent plea to parents and caregivers following a significant spike in children falling from windows and balconies in British Columbia.
In 2025, the BC Children’s Hospital emergency department saw a 35 per cent increase in visits related to window and balcony falls, jumping to 23 cases from 15 the previous year. Now, the province’s specialized pediatric hospital has teamed up with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit to urge the public to take immediate, preventative action.
“As an emergency department clinician, it is devastating to treat patients who have injuries sustained by window or balcony fall incidents,” said Christy Hay, executive director of clinical service delivery at BC Children’s Hospital. “The impacts can be life-altering or ending, and the trauma that affects the entire family is significant.”
First responders note that the seasonal shift is often a major contributing factor to these incidents. As temperatures rise across the province, residents naturally open windows to improve ventilation in their homes and high-rise apartments, inadvertently creating hazards for curious toddlers and young children.
Brian Twaites, a paramedic public information officer with BCEHS, warned against relying on standard window fittings to keep children safe.
“Window screens will not prevent a fall and can also be easily pushed out,” Twaites said. “Install window guards or fasten windows so that they can't open wider than 10 centimetres. Remember, screens are great for keeping the bugs out, but not for keeping children in.”
Health officials are reminding parents never to underestimate a child's mobility, noting that many children learn to climb long before they learn to walk.
To prevent future tragedies, safety experts recommend the following key precautions:
Rearrange furniture: Move beds, chairs, tables, and planters away from windows and balcony edges to eliminate potential climbing steps.
Limit window openings: Install window locks on all windows above the ground floor. Fasten them so they cannot open more than 10 centimetres, while ensuring there is still a safety release mechanism in the event of a fire.
Open from the top: If possible, only open windows that are located completely out of a child's reach.
Supervise closely: Never leave infants and young children unattended near open windows or accessible balconies.
Educate: Have age-appropriate conversations with children about the dangers of playing near windows, especially on the upper floors of a home or apartment building.
“Taking simple steps today—move climbable objects, install window locks, talk to your children—could prove life-saving,” Hay said.
For more information on keeping children safe during the spring and summer months, residents are encouraged to visit the Warm Weather Safety section on the BC Children’s Hospital website.