A girl said to be between 13 and 18 months old was in stable condition Monday afternoon after falling out the window of a sixth-floor apartment in Ottawa's west end.

Paramedics said the child was fortunate to have survived.

The toddler landed on the grass after falling out a window in this building on Woodridge Crescent.
(CBC)

"I think she's a very, very lucky girl," said Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesman J. P. Trottier after the incident around 6:45 p.m. ET Sunday on Woodridge Crescent, near Bayshore Drive.

However, he expressed concern about the possible extent of her injuries.

Neighbours saw the child land on her side on the grass, and she was conscious, crying and moving around when paramedics arrived, Trottier said. She was rushed to hospital with serious internal injuries.

Someone was in the apartment with the child at the time she fell, Trottier said, and her parents were with her when paramedics arrived.

He added that an adult who fell the same distance would be far less likely to survive.

"They tend to bounce a little bit more than adults, and adults usually tend to kind of put their hands out or to tumble a little bit more as they fall, so children usually are better in terms of survival rates," he said.

Police said they are investigating the incident.

Landlord offered to install safety devices

The child's fall took place two weeks after the company that owns the building warned parents to take precautions to stop children from falling out windows.

"Dear residents, please be reminded that fully open windows in apartment highrises create the potential danger of children falling out of our windows and that the window screens are not sufficient protection,” said the signs posted in English, French and Arabic by Minto Developments Inc.

The notices ask residents to contact their building managers to get safety devices installed that prevent the windows from opening all the way.

Doug Brunsdon, vice-president of the company, said he's relieved the child in hospital will likely be OK.

But he added that the company will send parents another reminder about the possible hazards. He said the windows are inspected at least once a year to ensure safety restrictors are properly installed.

Meanwhile, residents of other apartments at Minto's Bayshore complex said they appreciate the company's efforts, but it could be doing more.

"They should have put the [window safety] locks in before the residents move in," said Chantal Loyer, a mother of four who lives in a different building in the complex.

However, she added that ultimately, parents are responsible for ensuring their children's safety.

Chris Doherty, who lives on the first floor of the same building as the child who fell, said he thinks bars should be installed over the windows as an extra precaution.