A toddler who fell from a second-floor window at an Edmonds apartment Friday afternoon was transported by paramedics to Harborview Medical Center.

Firefighters were called to the apartment in the 23300 block of Edmonds Way at 4:53 p.m. “The 3-year-old had been on a sofa near an open window with a screen. Somehow the screen gave way and the boy fell about 12 feet onto the asphalt parking lot,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical service in Edmonds.

“The child in this case was very fortunate. He was conscious and alert when medics arrived. They transported him to Harborview Medical Center as a precaution,” Hynes said.

She urged parents of young children to be aware of the dangers open windows can pose. “Screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in. They can’t support the weight of even a small child,” Hynes said.

Fire District 1 offers these safety tips to prevent window falls:

– Keep furniture that children can climb on away from windows. Children can quickly climb to window ledges or sills, and fall.
– Install window guards or fall prevention devices on windows. Make sure these devices have a release so they can be removed in case of fire.
– Most window falls occur when children are unsupervised. Don’t leave young children alone. Injuries can happen in seconds.
– Whenever young children are around, close and lock windows. If you need ventilation, open windows children can’t reach.