Child window safety compliance helps reduce the risk of children falling from open windows by requiring appropriate safety devices on applicable high-risk windows.
Child Window Safety Compliance and Window Safety Compliance refer to the same NSW legislation, compliance requirements and safety objectives. They are not different services. “Child window safety compliance” describes the purpose behind the legislation, while “window safety compliance” is the broader industry term commonly used by strata managers, Owners Corporations and property professionals.
This page provides detailed information about why the legislation was introduced, how child window safety devices work, the types of devices available and the common issues that can cause an otherwise protected window to become unsafe or non-compliant.
Book a specific time slot for an already scheduled window safety installation or window safety compliance audit
Why Was Child Window Safety Legislation Introduced?
Open windows can present a serious fall risk to young children, particularly in apartments and multi-storey residential buildings.
Around 50 children fall from windows or balconies in Australia each year, highlighting the importance of the specific window safety requirements outlined in the National Construction Code (NCC). Many suffer serious injuries, and some falls are fatal. Children aged between one and five are considered particularly vulnerable because they may not recognise the danger presented by an open window.
Young children may also:
- Climb onto beds, chairs or other furniture positioned near a window
- Lean against a flyscreen, believing it will support their weight
- Fit through relatively small window openings
- Lose their balance while looking or reaching outside
- Open windows or operate simple locks without understanding the risk
Research examining paediatric falls from windows and balconies in a major Australian city recorded 381 incidents over 22 years. Of these incidents, 57% involved windows, and almost two-thirds of the children involved were under four years old.
These risks led to the introduction of NSW child window safety requirements designed to prevent applicable windows from opening wide enough for a child to fall through.
What Does Child Window Safety Compliance Require?
Under the applicable NSW requirements, a child window safety device must generally:
- Restrict the window opening to less than 125 mm
- Resist an outward force of at least 250 newtons
- Include a child-resistant release mechanism if the device can be unlocked, removed or overridden
- Be securely fitted to a structurally suitable part of the window
- Remain functional and capable of meeting the requirements after installation
The 250-newton requirement is approximately equivalent to resisting 25 kilograms of force. A device should not detach, deform or allow the opening to become wider when pressure is applied.
The requirements applying to an individual window may depend on the property type, window location, building classification and relevant legislation or building standards. A professional window safety audit can help determine which windows require safety devices and whether existing installations remain compliant.
Which Windows May Require Child Safety Devices?
In a residential strata building, an openable window will generally require a compliant safety device when:
- The internal floor is more than two metres above the external surface beneath the window
- The lowest part of the window opening is less than 1.7 metres above the internal floor
- The window can be opened and accessed by occupants
Not every window will necessarily meet these conditions. However, determining whether a window is subject to the requirements is not always as straightforward as it appears.
A window may look safe from inside an apartment but have a significant external drop. Previous repairs, replacements or modifications may also have changed how the window opens.
The window type, sill height, opening direction and condition of the frame can all affect the appropriate safety solution. These factors should be measured and assessed rather than estimated visually.
How Do Child Window Safety Devices Work?
Child window safety devices prevent a relevant window from opening beyond the permitted distance during normal use.
Depending on the window, the device may:
- Limit how far the sash can travel
- Lock the window in a closed or restricted position
- Control the opening through a restricted chain mechanism
- Provide a suitable protective barrier across the opening
Some devices allow an adult to override the restriction when additional ventilation or access is required. Where an override function is provided, the release mechanism must meet the applicable child-resistance requirements.
A compliant installation must provide both opening control and adequate strength. Restricting the opening is not sufficient if the device comes loose or fails when pressure is applied.
Types of Window Safety Devices for Children
Different window configurations require different safety solutions. The device should be suitable for the window’s material, condition, design and opening mechanism.
Window Restrictors
Window restrictors limit how far a window can open. They may be fitted to the frame, sash or another structurally suitable part of the window.
Restrictors can be used on sliding, awning and other window types. However, the product, fixings and installation position must be appropriate for the individual window.
Child Window Safety Locks
Child window safety locks secure a window in a closed or restricted position. Some devices operate with a key, while others use a child-resistant release mechanism.
A window lock will only provide effective protection if it is securely installed and consistently returned to its restricted position. Missing keys, unlocked devices and damaged locking mechanisms are common safety concerns.
Restricted Chainwinders
Restricted chainwinders control the opening of awning windows. They allow the window to provide ventilation while preventing it from opening beyond the permitted distance.
Wear within the chain, gears, handle or mounting points can affect performance. Chainwinders should therefore be inspected and tested as part of ongoing window maintenance.
Safety Screens
Some purpose-designed safety screens may form part of a compliant window safety solution when they meet the relevant opening and force-resistance requirements.
A standard insect flyscreen is not a child window safety device. Flyscreens are designed to keep insects outside. They are not intended to support a child’s weight or withstand significant outward pressure.
Custom Window Safety Solutions
Older properties, steel windows and unusual window configurations may require customised devices or specialised installation methods.
The selected solution must restrict the opening correctly without unnecessarily damaging the window or preventing its safe operation. ASQB has experience working with a wide range of window styles and building conditions across Greater Sydney.
Common Child Window Safety Compliance Failures
Installing a safety device does not guarantee that a window will remain safe and compliant indefinitely. Devices can become damaged, removed or ineffective over time.
Missing or Removed Devices
Residents may remove restrictors while cleaning a window, completing maintenance or trying to improve ventilation. If the device is not reinstalled correctly, the window may be left unprotected.
Window Openings Greater Than 125 mm
A restrictor may be fitted in the wrong position or allow additional movement when pressure is applied. A window that opens beyond the permitted distance may not meet the applicable requirements.
Failed Force Testing
Loose screws, unsuitable fixings, deteriorated frames or damaged components can cause a device to fail under force. Visual inspection alone may not reveal these weaknesses.
Lost Keys or Unlocked Devices
A window lock cannot provide reliable protection if it has been left unlocked or its key has been lost. Property and strata managers should also consider how replacement keys and access are managed.
Accessible Override Mechanisms
An override mechanism may not serve its intended purpose if a young child can operate it easily. The release function should satisfy applicable child-resistance requirements.
Reliance on Standard Flyscreens
A standard flyscreen can tear, detach or give way under pressure. It should never be treated as a fall-prevention device unless it has been specifically designed, installed and assessed for that purpose.
Furniture Positioned Near Windows
Beds, chairs, tables and storage boxes placed below a window can give children easy access to the opening. Compliant devices remain essential, but moving climbable furniture away from windows provides an additional layer of protection.
Incomplete Compliance Records
Missing inspection reports, test results or installation records can make it difficult to track the condition of window safety devices across a strata building.
Clear documentation helps Owners Corporations and property professionals identify what has been inspected, what has been rectified and when further testing may be needed.
Why Child Window Safety Devices Require Ongoing Checks
Window safety compliance is not limited to the original installation. Devices can deteriorate, loosen, become damaged or be removed during the life of a property.
A professional window safety audit may identify:
- Missing locks or restrictors
- Devices that no longer control the opening correctly
- Loose or unsuitable fixings
- Failed force-resistance testing
- Damaged locking mechanisms or chainwinders
- Altered or replaced windows
- Missing keys
- Incomplete compliance records
ASQB recommends having window safety devices audited at least annually. Additional inspections may be appropriate between tenancies, following window repairs, after reported damage or when the property’s compliance records are incomplete.
Additional Ways to Reduce the Risk of Child Falls
Compliant window safety devices provide an important layer of protection. Families, residents and property managers can further reduce risk by following practical safety measures:
- Keep beds, chairs and other climbable furniture away from windows
- Never rely on a standard flyscreen to prevent a fall
- Teach children not to climb or play near windows
- Report damaged or missing devices promptly
- Avoid overriding a device when children are present
- Return devices to their restricted setting after cleaning
- Include window safety checks in property inspection routines
- Arrange professional testing if a device appears loose or damaged
Adult supervision remains important, but it should not be the only safety measure. Correctly selected and maintained window safety devices provide protection during moments when an adult’s attention may be elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The terms refer to the same NSW legislation, safety objectives and compliance requirements. “Child window safety compliance” highlights the purpose of the legislation, while “window safety compliance” is the broader industry term.
For information about ASQB’s audits, installation, certification and ongoing compliance support, visit the main Window Safety Compliance page.
No. Whether a window requires a safety device depends on factors including whether it can be opened, its internal sill height, the external drop beneath it and the legislation or building requirements that apply to the property.
An applicable window safety device must generally restrict the opening to less than 125 mm. It must also remain secure when the required outward force is applied.
Standard insect flyscreens are not designed to prevent falls and should not be relied upon as child window safety devices. A screen must be specifically designed and installed as a compliant safety barrier before it can serve this purpose.
Some devices can be unlocked or overridden by an adult. Where an override function is provided, it must meet applicable child-resistance requirements. The device should be returned to its restricted position whenever children are present.
The Owners Corporation is generally responsible for ensuring applicable windows within the strata scheme are fitted with compliant safety devices. Strata managers commonly coordinate inspections, resident access, rectification and recordkeeping on behalf of the Owners Corporation.
A missing or removed device should be reported and rectified promptly. Removing a restrictor may expose occupants to risk and cause the window to become non-compliant.
ASQB recommends that devices be professionally inspected at least annually. Additional checks may be appropriate after window repairs, between tenancies or whenever a device appears damaged, loose or missing.
Some window safety products are available through retailers. However, selecting the wrong device or using unsuitable fixings can leave the window unsafe. A professional assessment and installation can provide greater confidence that the device is appropriate and performs as required.
Never compromise on child safety! Contact ASQB today to schedule your window safety compliance audit and guarantee that your windows meet the highest, Australian standards.
Learn More About Window Safety Compliance
Child window safety devices can significantly reduce the risk of falls, but they must be correctly selected, installed, tested and maintained.
If you are responsible for an apartment, strata scheme or residential building, ASQB can help determine what your windows require. Our team provides assessments, testing, rectification, installation and compliance documentation throughout Greater Sydney.
Visit our main Window Safety Compliance page to explore ASQB’s complete compliance services, or contact ASQB to discuss your property.