WASHINGTON, Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The nonprofit International
Window Film Association (IWFA) is doing its part to alert consumers
of the potential safety hazard of unprotected glass doors, windows
and panels during National Safe At Home Week, August 26-30.
The IWFA recommends consumers survey their home's interior and
create a checklist of glass areas that may result in serious injury
when impacted by a person or pet or when glass breaks and fragments
fly around. The reason for the IWFA's concern is between 2019 and
2023, an estimated 440,000 injuries occurred in the United States related to glass windows,
doors and panels, according to the National Product Safety Council.
Over 360,000 injuries needed treatment and about 10 percent of
these required hospitalization and some ended in death.
"In older homes and buildings built before the establishment of
today's building safety codes, there may be a significant amount of
annealed or non-tempered glass that can pose a serious risk to
occupants, and especially children and pets," said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA.
"Once a consumer has surveyed the glass in their home, we recommend
they get in touch with a local window film dealer to obtain
information on how to address their safety concerns," added
Smith.
To help reduce the risk of injury, security or safety window
film should be professionally installed to minimize the chance of a
person being injured by broken glass. When annealed glass breaks,
it often forms large, dangerous shards and may pose significant
risks.
Safety or security window films typically range in thickness
from four to 15 mils, and have an elastic quality when permanently
adhered to glass surfaces. Security window film is most commonly
installed on the inside surface of glass. When an increased degree
of protection is desired, the film can be anchored to the glass and
the frame using either a mechanical or wet-glazed type of
attachment system.
About The International Window Film Association
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) is a
nonprofit industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and
manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the window film
industry through education, research, advocacy and public
awareness. When you look for window film, look for the IWFA logo.
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SOURCE International Window Film Association