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.

Sorry, to answer yr question though we had the transparent film on the glass.

I think if you're having them replaced ASAP then put fireguards by the windows, or furniture and/or don't let them unsupervised in those rooms until it's replaced.

The glass can fall out as well - this happened to my neighbour when we lived on a Victorian terrace! They happened to be in the room and caught it but if it had fallen and someone had been underneath that would have been one heavy pane of glass smashing on their head.

Hi. I know it's been a while but we are in exactly same position as a few people here and I'd greatly value any opinions. Freaking out about windows here!

I have triplets and we are moving into a listed victorian building with sash windows.

I have three equal concerns

1. Fire safety 2. Child falling out 3. Child falling through thin glass

I know this sounds nuts but I'm going to get 2mm plexiglass in front of lower sashes to combat falling through.

I'm going to get press and twist Jackloc's one each side. These are window restrictors that are keyless and seem to be the newest on the market.

I really want to permanently close the lower sashes forever bar a few inches. The Jacklocks, I want for the top sashes and can be easily overridden by an adult in the case of fire.

My hubbie thinks the bottom sashes should be Jacklocked though so as they can easily be open at the bottom to allow fire escape. Then permanently seal the top windows against little climbers (bar a few inches)

My problem is that if we happen to have a visitor staying in any of the upper rooms in the next decade-all they have to do is override the Jackloc's to have the bottom sashes fully openable. All it will take is a hot night and those windows could be wide open next morning.
What if visitor forgets they've disabled the Jackloc's? Freaking out! (Based on personal experience of tragic similar incidence)

Soooooo....my question is this. Do you think it's ok from a fire point of view to have to climb over the bottom sash in order to get out?

If your on the third floor and God forbid having to climb out onto the window ledge is it a disaster to not be able to open the bottom sash?

Sorry for going about this in circles.

You'd be better starting a new thread but for what it's worth, in case of fire, I wouldn't be happy about climbing out onto a third floor ledge over a bottom sash. I don't think it's a workable option IMO.

Can you teach your children to be careful and put well placed furniture to help stop them crashing through if they are playing?

You also need to check whether the things you'd like to do need listed building consent.

For what it's worth I grew up with sash windows and we never had an issue as children with them.

Or could you secondary glaze the windows- helping prevent heat loss while also preventing accidents with children?

I wouldn't be happy about this solution. It could cause more of a problem than the one you are solving. From a fire escape angle this is not an appropriate solution, the lower window will not be made to climb over and even if you can climb that high to get out of it, there is risk of it breaking as you climb out causing you injury or even to fall.
We put in window restrictors on our sash windows and to be honest the only person who removes them is me. Visitors are happy enough to have it open a few inches for air and then tend to leave it at that.
You need to couple any physical measures you take with good practice & teaching the kids about safety. This is the best way of tackling problems like this.
We've had DSs window replaced with a replica timber double glazed unit but had considered secondary as this still allowed escape. glazing.

Thanks very much to both of you. Take everything you say on board.

Have decided not to go with what I had suggested.

The first floor lower sash windows will now be fully openable after disabling Jackloc's. Top sash will be sealed except for ventilation.

On the second floor it'll be the other way around-still going to permanently seal the lower sashes but Jackloc the top. Spoke to Fire Regulation Duty Officer and on that floor it's only considered a rescue option-not escape. In appartments they'd be sealed at this height.