MARYSVILLE — Marysville Fire District crews were dispatched March to respond to a report of a 3-year-old boy who fell from a second story window, in the 6300 block of 73rd Place NE, just before noon March 23. Paramedics transported the child with serious injuries.

With sunny weather upon us and spring cleaning in full swing, the Marysville Fire District hopes to remind area residents of the risk open windows pose for young children.

The Marysville Fire District and Safe Kids Snohomish County offer the following tips for parents and caregivers to prevent falls from windows:

Adults should not depend of window screens to prevent children from falling. Screens can easily give way under a child’s weight. They keep bugs out, not children in.

Chairs, cribs, beds and other furniture should be moved away from windows. Children can fall from windows opened as little as five inches.

Adults should also consider installing window guards on all windows located on the ground floor and up, and be sure that these guards meet new federal standards for escape in the event of a fire. Window guards can be found at area hardware stores, and at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-US locations.