In the category of danger in unexpected places comes this warning just in time for warm weather. The Minnesota Department of Health Monday posted some numbers on the deaths and injuries that occur when people, primarily children, fall from open windows. Not everyone will be as fortunate as this one-year-old who was caught by someone who just happened to be there.

Every year across the country about 12 children under the age of 10 die from falls from windows, and 4,000 are injured. In Minnesota, between 1993 and 2007, there were at least 193 serious injuries from unintentional window falls, and 19 of them were fatal. Almost all were children under the age of ten, and four were fatal.

The health departments says that if you have small children about, don’t leave climbable furniture near the window. Do not rely on insect screens to keep children safe. They are designed to keep bugs out — not to keep kids in.

Now go open a window — responsibly — and take in a great big gulp of green air because today is Earth Day.

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