Although we recommend opening windows and trickle vents to encourage air circulation throughout the year, open windows can still present a very real danger to vulnerable people in your home.
Recent reports from around the UK have demonstrated just how quickly a devastating accident can occur around unsecured windows. The safety of you and those in your home is our first priority, so we want you understand some practical window safety advice to help avoid window-related accidents and falls and keep your household safe.
What you can do
- Keep low furniture away from open windows so limit the risk of anyone climbing up and falling out – even on the ground floor.
- Keep window keys somewhere safe where you can find them quickly, in case there’s a fire and you need to get out.
- Keep children and vulnerable adults away from balconies unless supervised.
- Keep balcony doors locked when not in use.
- Remember that insect screens will not prevent falls.
What Soha can do
- Ask us to install window restrictors or catches (see below) to limit how far your windows can open.
- We can install window locks.
- We can advise on balcony safety
This advice was adapted from CAPT, which you can read in full here.
What’s a window restrictor or catch?
A window restrictor is a safety device that limits how far a window opens – usually to 10cm (4 inches) or sometimes less. They are designed to help prevent falls from windows and other accidents, such as items falling from windows and hurting people below.
Will Soha install window restrictors in my home?
Soha will fit window restrictors in homes with children or vulnerable people if requested. We aim to complete this within 20 working days of you asking. Please call us on 0800 014 15 45 (Freephone), 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday or email housing@soha.co.uk to speak with our customer services team who will arrange this for you. If you’re a shared owner, we will still fit these for you, though the cost will be recharged.
If you are waiting for window restrictors to be fitted, never leave children or vulnerable adults alone in a room with an open or unlocked window.
My home gets incredibly hot. Can I remove my window restrictors?
The restrictors are fitted for safety. By law, restrictors must be built into the windows of some buildings – like extra care schemes and schools – where there is an enhanced responsibility to the people within; where the occupant(s) are considered to be vulnerable; or where windows are positioned at a height where falling presents risk of injury. If you have restrictors fitted, your home may be in a building which legally requires windows to open up to a maximum of 10cm (4 inches) to reduce this risks. Please leave these in place, as if they are removed we will have to reinstall them.
If you have concerns about heat or ventilation, contact Soha so we can advise on safe alternatives.