Safety locks for PVC window frames

[LJay]

Can anyone suggest how we can fasten our windows so that our 2 year old toddler cannot climb up and fall out! I have seen window catches that you can buy from Mothercare, but you cannot fasten them to PVC frames. We need to have the windows open in the hot weather, but we also need to restrict how far they can be opened.

Any ideas?

How do they open? If they tilt, with the hinges at the top, you can get bits to put in the opening mechanism an the top of the sides, to restrict the opening gap to about 2 inches. (Does that make sense). We've got these in three windows - I don't know where they came from, but I can find out if this is what you have got. Let me know. These catches are very safe and effective. We fitted childproof window catches in our previous house, which my youngest, 3, had just worked out how to open!

They open like a door, and are hinged at the side rather than the top - but it sounds as if the idea you are talking about would still do the trick (if I placed it near the top of the window), what do you think?

If you could let me know where to start that would be great, thanks.

Ljay - sorry, I don't think it will work. PVC windows 'opening like a door' have pretty normal hinges, ones that swing open from the top have this mechanism within the frame, which you can add to. But I will find out where these locks came from, and that might be a source for locks which will work on your windows. Should be able to get back to you tomorrow or Sunday.

LJay - we have exactly that sort of window in the nursery, and we changed the handle on it to one that has a lock, and to open it, you press in the lock and turn whilst pressed in. It's too fiddly for our 1 year old to do, and I imagine a 2 year old would find them pretty impossible too. We got them from a place called "City Glass" in Bristol, which is a window company. Hth.

Thanks Musica and KMG. Our windows already have pretty good locks on them, but I need to keep them open at a safe distance so he can't push them open any further. At the moment he doesn't climb much, but I can imagine the day he starts to!!

KMG -if you do get hold of the source of your locks them I would certainly give them a try - thanks!

Sorry for delay LJay - not much help, I'm afraid. They were fitted by a local contractor, he makes them himself - they're basically just strips of metalled drilled into the opening mechanism of the window. (Windows opening this way cannot legally be fitted in this position nowadadys). It cost £50 to do 3 windows. Hope you find a better solution for yours.

I got a mailorder catalogue this week, GLTC, which includes some locks which they claim can be fitted to UPVC frames. £9.99 for set of two. "Windows can be opened wide enough for ventilation, but not wide enough for children to fall through. Simple to fit."

Good luck - sorry I was so hopeless!

You're not hopeless at all! Thanks for the information, especially about the mail-order catalogue, I'll try that tactic now.

Thanks again.

LJay, we had these swing-out windows in an upper storey maisonette. They weren't official council windows, landlady had bought the flat in 1994 under the right to buy and had these windows fitted. I wondered if they were legal too.

But Grandpa devised a safety mecanism with a jubilee clip and a length of chain which did the trick to keep my son safe when he began to climb and push at the windows. Post again if you'd like me to describe how to do it...

LJay, I'm wondering if you found a solution to this. We have PVC windows upstairs that are hinged like a door. In our bedroom there's a fairly low bay window that my DS (aged 2.5) likes to climb onto and watch the world. I'm worried sick that someday he'll be in there without me and decide to climb out the window. Has anyone found easy-to-fit locks that allow the window to open enough for ventilation but not enough to allow a child to slip out? thanks