Parker Reck

Parker Reck was an Oregon child known for inspiring Stop at 4, a state-wide campaign whose aim is to curb deaths from children's window falls.

Background

Parker Reck was born to Ashley Reck (née Smith) of Molalla, Oregon on September 9, 2004. On July 19, 2008, Ashley married Shane Reck. On May 23, 2009, Ashley and Shane, who had adopted Parker, were having a housewarming party after moving into their new home. The windows were partially open since it was a warm day and the children attending the party were playing upstairs. Parker wanted to see something outside, and started to pry the window open. Ashley later stated to Oregon Live "I caught a glimpse out the window, in my peripheral vision, a flash of orange. I knew that was the color Parker was wearing and I immediately knew he had fallen."

After prying the window open further, Reck had fallen two stories to the concrete below. He was immediately flown by helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, but died 1.5 hours later.

Stop At 4

After Reck's death, his parents launched the Stop At 4 Inches (now called Stop At 4) campaign, an educational group aimed at spreading awareness of the dangers of children falling from windows. The campaign encourages parents that windows should not be able to be opened by children wider than 4 inches, using window stops to keep children safe. The campaign was jointly launched by the Reck family along with the Safety Store and Resource Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and Safe Kids Oregon. Soon after, they were joined by the Molalla, Canby and Woodburn fire districts along with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.

The Stop At 4 campaign has since partnered with over two dozen businesses and organizations to spread awareness, including Jeld-Wen, State Farm Insurance, American Medical Response and others.

Legacy

Oregon Health and Science University has used Reck as an example of safety concerns and window fall education.

Reck's mother blogged in 2011 "It's been 2 years since Parker was called home, so unexpected. I remember that day as though it was only moments ago. The pain just as strong, the longing to hold him and hear his laugh still sits on the surface. When I am lost in thought, imagines of that day flash before me interupting my day dream. I have a photo of Parker beside my bed that I am able to look at, say goodnight and good morning too. I miss him every moment. I see him in Blake's smile and I am reminded of how lucky I am to be a mom, to be Parkers mom. If someone had told me the day I had Parker that in 4 years, 8 months,14 days and 7 hours he would pass away, I would tell them I can't wait to get to know him and love him so much for those 4 years, 8 months, 14 days and 7 hours. Parker was an amazing person who lived everyday like we all should, as though it's our last."

In 2012, the city of Beaverton named a week for Window Safety Week, which Ashley Reck received the proclamation for.

In 2013, Legacy Health stated that child window falls had decreased 46 percent from 2009 to 2011. They credited the decrease as being "...due to the combined efforts of the media’s increase in window fall coverage and extensive outreach of the window fall safety campaign Stop At 4."

Family

Reck's stepfather Shane is the nephew of Dr. Zachary Nelson.