15 children have fallen out of windows in Snohomish County since April

EVERETT -- It's an increasing problem in Snohomish County. Since April, 15 children have fallen from second-story windows. Three have been brought to the emergency room at Providence Regional Medical Center in just the past week.

"We've seen way too many already this year," says Safe Kids coordinator Shawneri Guzman. "It gives me heart palpitations to see these kids come in."

Two of the children admitted this week had only minor injuries. But Guzman says a fall can result in severe head trauma and, in some cases, death.

"If you think about it, their heads are larger than their bodies. So how are they going to fall? They're going to fall head-first."

Valicia Zugel, a mother of two, says her children's bedrooms are on the top floor of their home.

"It's kind of freaky to think about," she says."Because you want them to play in their room, but you're not always going to be with them every minute."

She's considered buying a window lock, so the windows can't open more than a few inches.

Guzman says locks are a good idea, since they're available at hardware stores for just a few dollars. She also suggests parents move furniture away from windows and balconies so that windows are outside of a child's reach or climbing distance.

"The screens can only withstand about five pounds of pressure before they give way," she warns. "Screens were designed to keep bugs out, not kids in."