In the last 24 hours, two toddlers tumbled out of third story windows, putting parents and doctors on high alert.
One little girl from Plainville has a broken leg and the other from Fall River is still fighting for her life. Both of them were taken Hasbro Children's Hospital, where health experts say the danger appears to be on the rise.
"So far 5 children have been admitted to Hasbro after falling out of windows," Dr. Dina Morrissey of the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital said. "That is a lot more than we usually see at this time."
Morrissey says 94% of toddlers who fall out of windows fall from the first or second floor because parents overlook the need to secure them. She says there are still some precautions you can take.
"Move all of the furniture away from the window including a crib, a bed or a couch."
Morrissey also says purchasing a window lock or window safety guards can prevent a tragic accident. They are available at hardware stores and cost between $10 and $20. She says screens offer a false sense of security, but are not a safety device, so if you have to open a window around a child, open it from the top.
Nationally, 5,000 children are seen in the E.R. each year for injuries related to window falls.
