National Window Safety Week Reminders!

March 1, 2024 by

The National Safety Council’s Window Safety Task Force marks National Window Safety Week annually during the first full week of April. This year the event will be held April 1-7, 2024. The objectives of this week are to educate families on the vital role windows play in fire escapes and other emergencies, as well as to prevent accidental window falls. Your family’s safety is paramount to Sentry Window Guards! We hope you and your family will take some time to review this window safety checklist to ensure year-round protection.

Preventing Window Falls

  1. Never leave young children unsupervised near open windows.
  2. Keep windows closed and locked when not in use.
  3. Position children’s play areas away from windows.
  4. Avoid placing furniture near windows to deter children from climbing.
  5. Do not rely solely on insect screens to prevent falls, as they cannot support a child’s weight.
  6. Whenever possible, open windows from the top rather than the bottom.
  7. Properly installed window guards are essential for preventing window falls. Consider installing window stops to enjoy fresh air while ensuring safety.

Creating Emergency Escape Routes

  1. Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family at least twice a year, once during daylight and once at night.
  2. Identify at least two escape routes from every room.
  3. Ensure that at least one window in each bedroom meets escape and rescue standards.
  4. Teach older children how to safely open windows in emergency situations.
  5. Verify that windows are not nailed or painted shut.
  6. Remove air conditioners from windows that may be needed for escape.
  7. Install emergency escape ladders in upper-story windows where necessary and educate all family members on their use.
  8. Designate a safe meeting point outside your home.

At Sentry Window Guards, we believe that window safety goes beyond just preventing falls and aiding in emergency escapes; it also plays a crucial role in enhancing home security and energy efficiency. Making sure that your windows are properly secured with locks and alarms, homeowners can deter burglars and intruders, providing peace of mind for their families. Additionally, investing in energy-efficient windows helps to regulate indoor temperatures, reduce utility bills, and minimize environmental impact. By sealing gaps, upgrading to double or triple-pane windows, and installing insulated frames, homeowners can create a more comfortable and sustainable living environment while prioritizing safety.

Additionally, staying up to date about advancements in window safety technology can empower homeowners to make the best decisions about protecting their homes and loved ones. From smart window sensors that detect unusual activity to shatter-resistant glass that withstands extreme weather conditions, there are various innovative solutions available on the market.

If you have questions about your New York home, please feel free to give us a call so that we may tailor effective solutions for your specific needs and preferences.

At Sentry Window Guards, our mission is to protect children by preventing window fall accidents. Here’s a testimonial from a satisfied customer:

“Great service! As a new landlord, window guards was not an area I had any experience in but the team at Sentry Windows made it easy for me to make the right choices for my windows. They’re also a nice size that fit in the back track of your window seamlessly, opposed to the bulky guards from the hardware store. Thank you!”
-Tameka Edwards

“Really happy with my recently purchased window guards. The associates there were also nice enough to be flexible with me and my work schedule to allow me to pick up after their regular work hours.”
-Ibrahime Balde

For further information on our window guard products and our expertise in complying with NYC safety regulations, contact us today.

 

Filed Under: Child Safety, Safety Tips Tagged With: , ,

Frequently Asked Questions | Sentry Window Guards, New York

January 29, 2024 by

Hey there! Keeping your family safe is our top priority at Sentry Window Guards!

We’ve got all kinds of childproof window locks and safety gadgets to make sure your home is secure. And guess what? Window guards are a must if you’ve got kiddos 10 years or younger – it’s the law!

Balcony window? Yep, you need a window guard there too. It’s a legal thing.

Curious about the height requirement for window guards? It’s 8 feet, but hey, they’re not just for meeting legal standards. They’re also awesome for keeping your place secure from break-ins.

Wondering about screws? Tamper-proof screws are the way to go – they’re homeowner and management company friendly. And guess what? We’ve got 20 cool colors for our window guards, matching any building or window frame.

Oh, and good news – we’re not just about selling guards. We’ll install them for you too! We’re your one-stop shop for all things windows and guards. Our team will troubleshoot, measure, fabricate, supply, and install – all within 24 hours!

Remember, at Sentry Window Guards, we’re all about preventing accidents and keeping kids safe. Check out the National Safety Council for more tips on emergency plans and window fall prevention. And if you’re in NYC with kiddos 10 or under, window guards are a must by law. Hit us up for more info on our products and our expertise in NYC safety requirements!

And remember, Window Safety Week this year will be held April 7-13.

Filed Under: Child Safety, Laws regarding Window Guards Tagged With: , , ,

Sentry Window Guards’ Ed Torres Interviewed on NHK World Japan on Window Safety

June 16, 2023 by

 Sentry Window Guards’ CEO Ed Torres was featured in an important story by NHK World Japan’s Mark Tagliamonte, Guarding Windows, Savings Lives. In the report, Mr. Tagliamonte shares two tragic stories, one in Japan and one in Hawaii, of children falling to their deaths because window guards were not installed. Cities like New York City, however, have been working to ensure that families do not have to endure this type of loss by requiring window guards. 

Ed Torres and Sentry Window Guards continue to be a leading advocate for the safety of New Yorkers and trusted provider of top quality window guards. You can learn more about Sentry Window Guards here and watch the full video below.

Filed Under: Child Safety, Tips on Window Guards Tagged With:

Safety Tips for More Treats Than Tricks This Halloween

October 19, 2021 by

Halloween is always a magical night in New York City full of fun and wonder for kids. It is also a time of year when accidents can easily happen. At Sentry Window Guards, our business is to keep children safe by preventing window fall accidents from occurring, but we also want to keep kids safe outside the home! There are many precautions parents and children can take around Halloween to ensure more treats than tricks. Check the tips below to make safety a priority.

  • Dressing up in costumes is a huge part of the fun, but make sure to dress with safety in mind.
    • If your child will be outside at night, choose a costume that will allow for greater visibility to others. Light colored or neon colors are easier to see at night. You can also add reflective tape or glow-in-the-dark tape to the costume.
    • Make sure nothing hinders the visibility of the costume wearer. Check that masks, wigs, or hats don’t limit your child’s peripheral vision.
    • Everything should “fit well” to reduce the chance of trips and falls. This includes wearing shoes that allow the child to walk confidently in under lit areas.
    • Avoid accessories like swords or wands that are too large or too sharp. Children can easily be hurt by these if they stumble or trip.
  • Enjoy trick or treating in your neighborhood by having a safety talk beforehand.
    • Kids under 12 should always go trick or treating with an adult. Those 12 and older should go out in a group on a route that has been approved by an adult.
    • Carry glow sticks or flash lights if you will be trick or treating after the sun goes down.
    • Only go to homes that have the porch light on.
    • Teach children to never enter a car or a home for a treat.
    • Kids get excited, but stress the importance of slowing down and staying alert while in areas with vehicle traffic. 
    • Look both ways before crossing a street and use crosswalks when possible. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways. Moving as a group makes it easier for drivers to spot you.
    • Remain on well-lit streets and walk on sidewalks as much as possible.
  • Help your child Inspect treats for safety before allowing them to consume.
    • When in doubt, throw it out. Throw out candy with torn packages or holes in the packages, spoiled items, and any homemade treats that weren’t made by someone you know. Though tampering is rare, it can happen.
    • Don’t let babies and toddlers have anything that is considered a choking hazard – hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies like jelly beans, pumpkin seeds, or anything with whole nuts. 
  • Create a safe environment for those coming to trick or treat at your home.
    • Remove any items from the front porch or yard such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations that could cause someone to trip or fall.
    • Sweep leaves and other yard debris from sidewalks and steps. 
    • Do not place candlelit pumpkins on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. 

Stay alert to protect your children this Halloween. For more information regarding our window guard products and our expertise in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today! 

Filed Under: Child Safety Tagged With: ,

Preventing Childhood Injuries this Summer

June 17, 2021 by

Summer is the time for kids to be active and have more time for fun and games. With the increase in activity comes an increase in the chance for an accidental injury. Keep your summer fun from turning into a summer fiasco with the following tips for preventing childhood injuries.

  • Keep your children safe while traveling around the city this summer. When riding a bicycle, all riders should follow the basic rules of the road and always wear a bicycle helmet. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute suggests that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by up to 88% for both adults and children. Teach your child the proper way to get on and off a bus starting with standing three large steps from the curb and to always remain visible to the bus driver. Teach your child pedestrian safety and to always look right, look left, look then right again when crossing the street.
  • Play it safe at the local park. Playground falls are inevitable, but the goal is to reduce the risk of serious injury with falls from monkey bars, slides, and swings. Look for playgrounds situated on soft surfaces like rubber or wood chips as opposed to concrete or gravel. Supervise children on playgrounds to ensure they are using the equipment properly and not engaging in risky behavior. 
  • Give young children your full attention around water of any kind. Accidental drownings can occur in even a few inches of water. Teach children to never go near or in water without adult permission. Keep gates around back-yard pools and hot tubs locked, empty containers like buckets and wading pools when not in use, and make sure your children wear life jackets when boating and engaging in other water sports.
  • Anchor the furniture in your home. Use fasteners and brackets to ensure bookshelves, dressers and cabinets will not fall over. An afternoon of summer boredom can turn your children into little climbing monkeys. You can’t tell simply by looking at a piece of furniture whether it’s stable, so if your furniture isn’t already anchored to the wall, now is the time to do so.
  • Never leave small children unattended around open windows. To help prevent children from climbing up to an open window, don’t place furniture near windows. Properly installed window guards are your best defense in preventing window falls. 
  • Be aware of the dangers associated with summer grilling and campfires. Children are at risk of severe burns caused by getting too close to a hot grill or fire and should never be left unattended around these hot surfaces. Both campfires and grills should be placed in an open area away from anything that could be flammable and all grill equipment should be properly inspected and maintained to prevent any malfunction.

We hope these tips will help you lead by example to make your summer a safe one for your children. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Child Safety Tagged With: , ,
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