An alarming pattern has developed throughout all of England. Since 2019, thirteen children have died falling from windows in rented or temporary accommodation. All deaths that were easily preventable. These heartbreaking incidents have raised concerns about safety regulations and the condition of housing, especially in high-rise buildings where children are particularly vulnerable.
In 2022, the senseless murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers shocked the nation. One year old Exodus Eyob died after tumbling from a seventh floor window in Leeds. On that hot summer day, the restrictor on the window had been removed, making it possible for him to fall. In May 2024, five-year-old Aalim Ahmed was sadly killed when he fell from the kitchen window of a 15th-storey social housing flat in East London. This tragic act of violence devastated the community. This year has already seen the death of two two-year-old children—one in Gloucestershire and another in south London.
Over the past two years, we have heard countless reports of councils and housing authorities dragging their heels to fix egregious safety hazards. In neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham, a recent survey found that six out of ten window retrofits required urgent repair before the works were undertaken. Like many previous controversies, the council moved quickly. To their credit, they sent a team to evaluate the damage the day after residents called them about shattered windows. Thousands of families were calling out prior to the collapse about the deplorable conditions their homes were in and how pressurized their need for repair had gotten.
This spring has been especially shocking, with 14 cases of children falling from windows counted so far—about one case every week. The majority of these—more than 60%—involved situations where required window repairs had not yet been made. Dr. Noellie Mottershead, a pediatric consultant, has witnessed a shocking rise in pediatric cases of children falling out of windows. This increasingly troubling trend has emerged over the last several months.
In the majority of these tragedies, safety infrastructures such as barriers were insufficient or nonexistent and directly led to the tragedies. For four of these cases, there were no locks or restrictors on the windows. In another four cases, locks or restrictors in place were discovered to be damaged. In four more incidents families disabled these safety devices due to convenience or lack of choice.
Housing safety lawyer Gareth Naylor said the report was “deeply, deeply alarming”.
“If you fall out of one of those tower block windows you are going to die,” – Gareth Naylor
He explained the unique hazards created by window restrictors that are easily disengaged.
“It’s as simple as that. Deaths will keep occurring as long as you have these window restrictors in place that can be deactivated because it’s just too easy,” – Gareth Naylor
The government’s response has extended beyond a promise to introduce a new tenant safety bill, which will amend existing UK social housing regulation. These amendments would require that any window that is too dilapidated to repair must be replaced, even if it is historic! The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said public safety was their priority.
“No child’s life should be at risk because of poor quality housing, and we are determined to prevent future tragedies,” – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Alistair Smyth, director of policy and research at the National Housing Federation, sought to comfort residents’ fears. In his speech he underlined the significant pledge that housing associations have made.
“Housing associations are dedicated to making sure all residents are safe in their homes,” – Alistair Smyth
As Richard Blakeway, the housing ombudsman, noted recently, protecting a high standard of safety in housing is complex. He too pointed toward the urgency for change.
“Replacing windows can be complex and costly, but there can be no justification for the conditions some residents have endured,” – Richard Blakeway
This urgent spike in evictions is an unfortunate reminder of the deep need for change in our nation’s housing policies and practices. Every family deserves to know they can raise their children in a safe living environment, free from preventable accidents. The pattern of these tragedies underscores the importance of proactive measures to ensure window safety and adequate maintenance in residential buildings.
