Sash windows & small children?????

[RMWIFE]

We're moving in to our new home in a couple of weeks. We went to the property today to measure up etc. In my daughters room (they're 2 & 4) there is a single glazed sash window. It's only single glazed and is on the 2nd floor! We're getting the windows replaced in a couple of months but what can we do to make it safer in-between? Any suggestions will be greatly received, thanks.

[strawberrie]

You need window catches! They are little metal catches which flick out from the sides of the frames and prevent the lower sash from lifting any higher than a few inches. I can take photographs of the ones we have on our windows if that would help?

Provided the window isn't too old and sticky, you should be able to lower the top sash for ventilation which is a safe option.

[ShoeWhore]

Our whole house is single glazed sash windows and we have 3 dc (eldest nearly 10) and it has been totally fine.

Are there window catches where the two bits of the sash window meet? Can your dds reach them? As strawberrie said, we open the top sash in the summer and have never had a problem - sash windows take a fair bit of strength to open ime! You can of course get the locks strawberrie describes, although I must admit I've always seen those more in terms of keeping burglars out rather than small children in

[OliviaBenson]

I grew up with single glazed sash windows. Had no issue with them as a child. They were far too heavy for children to lift.

Sash stops will work if you are concerned. Are you replacing them with double glazed sashs?

[OliviaBenson]

Cross post with shoe!

[RMWIFE]

I'm more concerned with them somehow falling through the glass?

[Ubik1]

We have single glazed sash everywhere (listed building)

Why would they fall through the glass?

[InsertUsernameHere]

If really concerned you can put a screw to stop the bottom sash opening at all. Basically screw at forty five degrees either side of the top of the bottom pane. It shouldn't stop the top pane opening.

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

I got sash lock things the other day to stop my horrid teen climbing out of the window when I think he's safely sleeping upstairs in bed. I grew up in a 5th floor flat with sash windows and a certain death drop and had bars across my windows. Sounds horrid but they were just white painted wood and looked fine.

[ShoeWhore]

Why would they fall through the glass more than with any other window though?

[Moreisnnogedag]

Does it have a part lock? If we engage a lock thing on our windows you can only raise them an inch or so.

[Moreisnnogedag]

This is why I should refresh before posting. Why are they more at risk of falling through? Plus you can fall through double glazed patio doors (remembers hellish incident at friends house).

[Ubik1]

We have lovks at top of them all and the window guard thingies mentioned above

[RMWIFE]

The glass seems so much thinner - thats how they could fall through. As they are sash windows they are a lot lower.
I just wondered if any one had guards on theres? I've seen some - but they look like prison bars!

[Ubik1]

Is it just one single sheet of glass? Or seperate panes?

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

If you're really worried about them falling against the glass (& old glass is thin. old windows can be very low too, are these?) - then some form of temporary barrier is your best bet, whatever it looks like

[Blueblackdye]

OP, you could use a transparent film to stick on the glass so that it does not fall apart and cut anyone if it breaks. I have seen my husband touching gently the sash window with his bottom when going backwards to take a pic of DC and it broke literally with no real pressure/weight applied on it so I understand your concern. The norm now is to have toughened glass if it is lower than 90cm. Or you could replace the glass panel until you change the sash.
Now if you are scared your daughters might go through and fall from the 2nd floor, get some bars for the moment.

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

oh sorry, missed that you mentioned how low they are

a couple of horizontal battens screwed into the frame either side would keep them off the glass (or would they be likely to climb them?)

I do sympathise, I always imagined worst-case scenarios when my kids were small

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

The norm now is to have toughened glass if it is lower than 90cm

& ^ this - I was told this by a window fitter just last week, I was amazed (our downstairs bay window, originally a sash, is 80cm & would have to have toughened glass now in case someone fell against it)

[Artandco]

Ours have a screw thing that came with the windows. It means they only open a few inches at top or bottom as the metal tube screw won't let it go any further

[wonkylegs]

We worried about this when we moved here 6mths ago. All the windows were very low cilled single glazed huge sashes. We knew we were going to replace them (this is actually happening at the moment) with doubled glazed timber sashes but that didn't stop me worrying at the start.
I had visions of DS falling out of the window and through the conservatory roof below.
We had strict words with DS and then put a chest of drawers across the window to restrict access up to the window until the work was done.
The new window has sash stops to restrict opening and toughened glass in the lower panes. We had his window installed first.
They are doing the huge bay windows today /tomorrow which is the most technically difficult bit so I'm a bit nervous.

[RMWIFE]

One sheet! eek!

[KirstyJC]

Get the film - we used this on floor to ceiling windows in an outhouse, which are double-glazed but are not toughened. We got this

Apparently if it breaks it shatters like windscreen glass, not shards that cut you to shreads. Any maybe put some furniture in the way if you are really worried and it will only be for a couple of months?

We have sash windows but they are little panes of double glazing so we aren't worried about breaking, just opening. They are hard to lift though and the 1 time DS3 did I went so ballistic I seriously doubt he will again!

[Ubik1]

Ah - one single sheet

we have lots of little Georgian-type panes so falling through not an issue.

The window film is great - our previous flat had been butchered upgraded in the '60's and someone had taken the beautiful old door and replaced them with extremely thin glass doors with palm tree effects all over them. We covered them with film to stop the children running straight through them and replaced ASAP. Joiner told us the sort of glass also tends to explode in house fires

[TeacupDrama]

often old single glazing if original glass is thicker glass than present day single glass because of technique of making it

my DD is 4 every single window is single glazed sash and cash, we open bedroom windows at top, sash and cash windows are really hard for small child to open at all they are heavy

we have antiques stone staircase which was too wide for stairgate so I taught her how to come down backwards when much younger and how to deal with other stuff that is common in older houses the doors being old with antique handles meant she was well over 2 before she could open any door that i had shut, she still can't open back door

if your property is listed you may not be able to replace with double glazed and if grade 1 or 2 may not be able to put in different glass either

the biggest risk if actually the sash cords I looped them up around window lock in the middle

[TSSDNCOP]

This was my concern, my DS's window is on the third floor. The window itself was way too heavy for a child to open.

BUT if there's any rotting in the sashes you have a potential problem. If the windows up when the sash breaks you don't want t have your head or fingers underneath. This happened in my classroom as a child. Believe me it can happen.

Also agree re the single pane. I had visions of a DC running in, jumping on the bed and not stopping.

Nice new double glazed sash installed last summer.