Sefton Council is reminding private landlords of the importance of getting broken window locks and catches repaired to prevent dangerous falls.

Young children in particular danger 

Young children are in particular danger from falling from an unsecured window. Also, the higher the fall, the greater the likelihood of them coming to serious harm. 

Sefton Council’s Housing Standards Team does have powers to ensure restrictors are fitted to some windows when a hazard is identified at inspection. However, this does not cover all windows, which would be safe if the catch or lock was working. 

Keen to explore

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said: “Young babies and young children are curious and keen to explore their surroundings and see the outside word. But they are unaware of potential dangers and are at risk of fall from unsecured and faulty windows. 

“When this is from a first floor window or higher, the consequences are potentially tragic. 

“If you are a landlord, it’s important that you respond promptly to any reports of faulty window catches or locks in your property and get them fixed as soon as possible. 

If you are a tenant, you should report window catches or locks that aren’t working to your landlord straight away and ask them to carry out repairs.”  

Avoiding potential falls

Other general ways of avoiding potential falls from windows is to not put furniture in front of windows, especially in children’s bedrooms.

Get safety catches or locks fitted if you can and keep the keys somewhere safe, in case there’s a fire, but out of reach of young children. 

You can find the Child Accident Prevention Trusts’ Falls Factsheet here.