PELLA, Iowa, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether gearing up for spring cleaning, new landscaping projects or home improvement tasks, industry leader Pella Corporation encourages families to add "window safety review" to their springtime to-do lists. Simple actions now can help protect the safety of loved ones all year.

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April 3 - 9 is National Window Safety Week -- an annual reminder to parents and caregivers about how to help prevent accidental window falls or injuries and how to use windows for potential emergency escapes. Pella Corporation teams up with the National Safety Council (NSC) to promote year-round window safety tips.

"As you open windows to let in fresh breezes, it's also a good time to keep window safety in mind," said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella spokesperson and a NSC Window Safety Task Force member. "For safety's sake, adults need to supervise children at play, and teach them to keep their play away from windows and doors."

About 4,700 children in the U.S. are injured by falls from windows each year, according to window safety organization The Timothy Healy Foundation (www.windowsafe.org/). In many cases, the fall occurred within the child's own home. More than 70 percent of window falls are from the second or third story; however, even falling from a first-floor window can cause injury, according to the foundation.

"Remember that insect screens are not designed to keep children or adults from falling," Krafka Harkema said. For greater safety, don't lean on screens. "Insect screens simply help keep bugs out; they don't protect your family members from accidental falls."

Window safety tips from Pella:

• Keep furniture like beds or dressers away from windows. Furniture placed directly under a window can create an enticement for a child to climb and the potential to fall.
• Keep children's play away from windows, doors and balconies to help prevent an accidental fall or injury.
• Remember, insect screens are designed to provide ventilation and to keep insects out, NOT to prevent falls. For added safety in children's bedrooms, consider installing window guards or window fall prevention devices that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
• Window treatments with traditional cords can contribute to childhood injuries. For added protection, choose blinds and shades with no room-side cords like Pella® Designer Series® windows and patio doors, which feature between-the-glass blinds, shades and decorative panels. Pella 350 Series patio doors also offer between-the-glass blinds or shades with no room-side cords.
• Plant soft shrubs like boxwoods under exterior windows that might be used as an emergency escape route to help soften a fall.
• While spring cleaning, do a "clutter sweep" and remove tripping hazards near window, doors or balconies.
• Do not allow children to jump on beds, especially ones near windows.

"Whether you're in an existing home or moving to a new one, take a few minutes now to review window safety tips," Krafka Harkema said. "Simple changes now could help protect your loved ones and decrease the risk of accidental falls."

More information

• Window safety tips fact sheet (http://pressroom.pella.com/fast_facts/115/)
• Window safety video (http://pressroom.pella.com/news-and-views/video/28/)
• Designer Series casement window downloadable photo (http://pressroom.pella.com/photo_library/preview/238/)
• Improve your view with Pella's new vinyl sliding patio door news release (http://pressroom.pella.com/news_releases/new/358/)

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 86-year history of making innovative products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

Pella manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe's®. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pella.com. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News, on Facebook at facebook.com/pellawindowsanddoors and on YouTube at youtube.com/pellawindowsanddoors.

SOURCE Pella Windows and Doors