We have a mix of sash windows and and casement. I fitted limiters to the ones in the big bedroom at the back as although it is only 1st floor, it is 2nd floor really so a 30+ft drop. The limiters only allow the windows to open about 3" - they are easy enough to unscrew to clean the windows.
I remember when I was about 8, we moved from a ground floor flat to a house. Our cat tinker started exploring. The next thing we knew was she went upstairs and jumped out of the window
- luckily she was unhurt and never tried that again