Window guards to prevent children from falling?

Our move into our new, second-floor flat is now (finally!) imminent. We're currently in a first-floor flat that has a balcony, which still kind of freaks me out because the windows stretch down to the floor and apparently there is no such thing as, I don't know, window screens in this country. That I've seen, anyway.

But now that we're moving to the second floor, and there's no balcony, what do people use to protect their kids? I probably sound paranoid, but I was already antsy about it when just a couple of days after we moved here a baby fell out of a window in London, so it's not like it never happens. Especially with the lack of air conditioning and the general need to air out the house occasionally, windows need to be opened - are there any railings and guards that can be purchased and installed? Has anyone else done this?

I have a strange sensation that I'm going to have to jimmy-rig something, but it'd be nice if there was something a bit more professional looking that I could use.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Some, maybe most?, flats have windows that open at the top.
They have two parts to the window and it is the top part the opens.
If you see what I mean.

So maybe your new flat has this as well?  I am not sure how wide spread it is, but all my friend's flats were like this. 

Why not buy some baby gates? Do your windows open like Sash windows or open out a small amount like typical British windows?

Sash windows used to be "typically British windows"!

Most Victorian and Edwardian built houses were all sash windows, and you could open them bottom, top, both, or only at the top if need be -- I grew up with these kind, and nobody in our family ever fell out of a window.

Builds newer than are different now. My 1977 built flat has windows that can either open like a door opens, or if you turn the handle upward the hinge changes and the window only opens at the top, like a mouth opening slightly.

I've heard of some screen companies in the UK even though it is not a popular or oft-done thing -- maybe the Yellow Pages? Depending on what kind of windows, perhaps some can be custom made.

I have seen bars of some sort across windows to stop kids falling through but I've no idea where you get them.  You may need a carpenter to put them in.

Oh, you guys, you're totally right. The windows we have now are floor-to-ceiling sash windows, and the top parts lowers as well as the bottom part raising up. I didn't even remember that.

I don't know about the new windows, though. They're sash windows, but I'm not sure if they have the same feature...

Baby gates are a really good idea, but I'm not sure whether I trust the pressurized ones enough, and I don't know if my husband will let me drill into the window frames themselves. I do see metal bars on some of the windows around here (possibly for the same reason?) but we live in a conservation area and I don't know if the building will let me install them on the exterior, either.

Lots of "I don't knows" there. Here's hoping the sash windows lower down!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Some windows will also have a child safety setting which will only allow the window to open a certain amount.

Also, maybe try these guys?

http://www.insight-direct.co.uk/DotNetShop/listsubgroup.aspx?Group=22&SubGroup=1

Ooh, Balmerhon, thanks for the link!