• When ventilation is not needed, windows should be closed and locked.
• Windows can be equipped with window guards to prevent children from falling out. In some jurisdictions, such as New York City, window guards are required in apartments where children reside. These devices are constructed of horizontal bars spaced close enough together so that a 5-inch ball cannot pass through. Proper window guard placement can be determined by the local building code official or the local fire department. Window guards should include a quick-release mechanism to allow for a rapid exit in the case of an emergency.
• Furniture that children can climb, such as dressers, beds and toy chests, should be kept away from windows.
• Window screens are designed to keep insects outside of a house and should not be relied upon to keep children from falling out of windows.
• Shrubs, wood chips, grass or other soft surfaces may be strategically placed beneath windows in order to lessen the degree of injury sustained from falls.
• Children’s play areas should be kept away from open windows.
• If possible, ventilation should come from the upper sash of a double-hung window rather than the lower sash, which may be more accessible to a child.
• Windows that are low to the floor may be particularly easy for young children to operate. The inspector may point out low windows so the client understands their danger. The windows in the photo are low enough to be easily accessed by a small child.
  

In summary, while these tips concern falls from windows, they do not necessarily address dangers posed by broken window glass.