Today, the Safe Kids Committee on which I serve held a community forum on understanding and preventing window falls among children. Hosted by Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital and emceed by KOIN TV's Kasey Montoya, the conference gathered numerous stakeholders from Oregon and around the United States who want to reduce the epidemic number of children injured by falling out of windows.
Presentations included the following:
- Considering "human factors" in identifying solutions.
- The tragic stories from two moms, one who lost a child, and the other whose child survived with a severe brain injury.
- Data on window falls from Oregon, Chicago and around the United States.
- As an attorney, I spoke about my clients whose lives were changed by window falls. I also spoke about my efforts trying to pass an Oregon law to provide for window guards in rental properties. (See the Bill and legislative history.)
- Safety products were described. In addition to bars, window protection devices include steel screens, curtain-like mesh, and a variety of window stops.
- Existing efforts at education rules and codes, including Oregon's Building Code that requires window fall protection.
At the end, a facilitated discussion tried to capture the many good ideas for public education, safety product distribution, and next steps. Volunteers committed ourselves to continue to work toward the goal of reducing pediatric injury.
In 2001, the Republican-led legislature killed my legislative effort require window guards in apartments with children. Since then, Oregon's trauma registry recorded another 500 incidents of child falls from windows. Children have died and become brain injured.
I am optimistic that the diverse group of professionals who brainstormed today will develop an effective approach to reducing such tragedies in the future.
Jeff Merrick, Oregon Trial Attorney
Injury & Employment Law
503-665-4234
