Six Twin Cities children fell from windows this month

By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune

Last update: April 25, 2008 - 9:46 AM

One child died and two were hurt after falling out of windows Wednesday, prompting officials to warn people that screens won't necessarily keep children safe.

Norah Paulsen, 22 months, died after falling from a second-story window in her parents' apartment building in Vadnais Heights.

Kyler Wheeler, 2, of Andover, fell from a second-floor window after climbing a sofa to the window. He was in serious condition Thursday at Hennepin County Medical Center, said Capt. James Stewart of the Anoka County Sheriff's office.

And Kyle Chiodin, 2, was taken by helicopter to a hospital after an 18-foot fall from a Forest Lake home. He was jumping on a couch with other children when he crashed through a screen, police Sgt. Rick Peterson said.

Three other youngsters fell from windows earlier this month: a 9-year-old girl in St. Paul and two sibling toddlers in south Minneapolis from a third-floor window. None suffered life-threatening injuries.

"People tend to think putting screens in is adequate to keep children in, but it isn't," said Kristin Lolmaugh of the National Safety Council.

Falls from windows account for an estimated 12 deaths and 4,000 injuries among children under 10 years of age every year in the United States, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

In Minnesota, between 1993 and 2007, at least 193 serious injuries from window falls were reported. Nineteen of those were fatal. Of the 193 injured, 151 were children under 10 years of age, with four fatalities.

Last year a new Minnesota law was passed requiring the installation of safety screens on any house or apartment built or remodeled after Jan. 1, 2009. The law is called "Laela's Law" for toddler Laela Shaugobay, who was injured when she fell out of a Minneapolis apartment building in 2006.

This week is Window Safety Week, sponsored by the Safety Council and window, screen and door manufacturers.

Staff writer Abby Simons contributed to this report. Jim Adams • 612-673-7658