B.C. hospital seeing increase in kids falling from windows, balconies
![Open window Open window](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/6/24/open-window-1-5484992-1627392700442.png)
Soaring temperatures and an increase in the number of kids getting hurt after falling from windows or balconies have prompted a safety reminder from B.C. Children's Hospital.
So far this year, 12 kids have been treated at the Vancouver hospital, compared with 14 for the whole of 2023.
"These numbers are only a portion of incidents seen across emergency departments provincially and indicate a likely increase in total expected visits to the BCCH ED this year for hot weather-related injuries," a statement from the hospital Thursday said
There have also been three children treated for accidental or near drownings, compared with 13 for all of last year. As heat warnings remain in effect for swathes of the province and people look for ways to stay cool as the summer progresses, the risk of hot-weather-related injuries remains.
“The injuries we see from window falls and water-related incidents are often devastating for everyone involved,” said Dr. Meghan Gilley, an emergency department physician.
"They are something no parent ever expects will happen to their child, while also being devastating for the patient."
Ways to keep kids safe include moving things that children can climb on away from windows, installing window guards, and ensuring kids wear life jackets and are closely supervised when they are in or near water.
More information is available on the hospital's website.
http://www.bcchildrens.ca/about/news-stories/stories/window-and-balcony-fall-risks
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7021823.1725146389!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Trudeau, steel plant worker have tense exchange during Sault Ste. Marie visit
After meeting with transit workers and the local mayor on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued his visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., where he canoed down St. Marys River and hosted a meet and greet at a local steel plant.
Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, remembers husband in heartfelt social media posts
The widow of Johnny Gaudreau called her husband 'the absolute best dad in the world' and thanked him for 'the best years of my life' in two Instagram posts shared Saturday.
More people than ever are eating alone at restaurants. This is why
The stigma of single dining has faded as more people live alone than ever before. Today, more people are making reservations for one.
Police charge 18 drivers for filming crash site on Hwy. 401
Ontario Provincial Police were busy on Saturday morning issuing tickets to distracted drivers allegedly using their phones to film a serious crash on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.
49ers Ricky Pearsall shot by attackers during attempted robbery, in stable condition
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot Saturday during an attempted robbery, the city's mayor said.
Orangutan swung in 'cartwheel-like motion' before climbing down tower to escape: Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo says it has learned how one of its orangutans escaped from its enclosure earlier this week.
Man charged after alleged 'indecent act' in family shower area at Toronto pool
A 35-year-old Toronto man is facing charges after allegedly 'committing an indecent act' in the family shower area of a public pool.
A Norwegian princess marries an American self-styled shaman in front of a star-studded audience
Social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities were among the guests as the Norwegian king's eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, married an American self-professed shaman on Saturday in a wedding ceremony following three days of festivities.
Rapper Fatman Scoop dies at 53 after collapsing on stage in Connecticut
Fatman Scoop, the rapper who topped charts in Europe with 'Be Faithful' in the early 2000s and later lent his distinctive voice and ebullient vibe to hits by such artists as Missy Elliott and Ciara, died after collapsing on stage at a show in Connecticut, according to officials and his family.