5-year-old dies after falling two stories from his Everett home

A five-year-old boy died in a tragic accident after falling about 15 feet from a second-story window in Everett.

Firefighters took the 5-year-old boy to the hospital after he landed on a concrete surface. He later died of his injuries in hospital.

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Christie Veley, spokesperson for the South County Fire Department, is asking families to take extra steps to keep young children away from open windows. This tragic accident was at least the 19th time this year that a child fell out of a window in Snohomish County, according to the fire department.

“Try to keep furniture away from windows so that children aren't climbing on the furniture to get to the window,” Veley told KIRO Newsradio. “And also try to install a window stopper or safety gate.”

Fire departments across Washington state have taken a number of steps to prevent such accidents in the future.

1. Use window stops or guards that prevent windows from opening more than ten centimeters.
2. Move furniture such as cribs, desks, beds and tables away from windows.
3. Plant bushes and flowerbeds under windows to soften the landing area.
4. Do not rely on window guards to prevent falls.
5. Keep windows closed and locked when not in use.
6. Always actively supervise children, especially near open windows.

“If you have a child in your home and your window is on the second or third floor, your child is at risk,” Veley said. “Kids are curious. They push on the screens. Screens can only take about 5 pounds of pressure before they give way.”

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For families who cannot afford window stoppers, South County Fire provides them free of charge through grants while supplies last. Visit the South County Fire website for more information.

Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and email him here.