Window Well Cover Safety Guide

Window wells offer an element of safety to your basement by acting as exits in case of emergency.   Most municipalities, in fact, require all basements to have an emergency exit.  Homeowners should make sure that their basement windows open sufficiently for any member of the family to pass through should the need arise.  It is also a good idea to install specially made ladders that assist people in getting up and out of the well.

There are safety precautions to take outside, as well.  All window wells should be fitted with properly adjusted window well covers.  Uncovered window wells can present a danger to your family.  Children and pets can easily fall into the well.  Even adults need to be careful; window wells can be as much as three feet deep and 70 inches across and an awkward fall could result in serious injury.

Having sturdy covers over your window wells is especially important near walkways or in areas of high traffic or activity in your yard.  Wells are often hidden behind shrubbery and seldom thought about until someone takes a nasty spill.

There are two main types of window well covers: plastic and metal.  In either case, make sure the one(s) you choose are right for the kind of wells you have.  They should fit snuggly over the top of the well or have factory designed clips which hold it in place.  Of course, they should not fit so tightly that they could not be removed from the inside in case of emergency.  They also need to be strong.  Better models are able to withstand up to 250 pounds of pressure.

The clips, or locks, also prevent intruders from removing the covers.  When shopping for window well covers, look for ones that include a lock system that can be quickly opened from the inside, but that are as difficult as possible to get to from the outside.

It is certainly possible, and not uncommon, for people to fashion their own covers out of metal or plexiglass or some other type of plastic.  While this can save you money (the better covers can get up there in price), it is recommended only for those with experience (or great patience) in building.  Remember that these are first and foremost a safety implement.  They need to be just right in order to provide your household protection against accident.

More information on window well covers