7 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Achieve

January 3, 2018 by

Happy New Year New York! 

According to Statistic Brain, almost half of the American population makes New Year’s Resolutions. Unfortunately approximately 8% of that 45% actually achieve resolution success. Instead of shooting for the moon, make realistic resolutions. Here are 7 ideas for New Year’s Resolutions that would add meaning to your life and be attainable:

  1. BE PUNCTUAL – Respect other people’s time and make it a habit to be punctual. Being “fashionably late” isn’t cool, professional or considerate. 
  1. GET YOUR STUDY ON – Whether you have been dreaming of finishing your college degree or you just want to take a few quilting classes at your local arts center, make a commitment. Furthering your education for a larger income or learning more about a beloved hobby will be satisfying no matter what the motive. 
  1. FIT IN FITNESS – If the thought of joining a gym or starting an intense exercise routine overwhelms you, start with baby steps. Park your car further away from your office, take the stairs instead of the elevator, do a few squats while catching up on the local news…you get the idea. Once your body starts to feel better from a little bit of exercise, you might be more motivated to amp up your fitness routine! 
  1. ELIMINATE DEBT – While this may take awhile or even seem impossible, make a plan to pay off debt. No need to explain the feeling of accomplishment you’ll experience when you lose that burden. 
  1. SUPPORT A CAUSE – Think of a cause that is near and dear to your heart and find out how you can contribute. Monetary donations are always welcome; however look at raising funds through walks such as the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Giving back to society and trying to make a difference makes the world a better place to live. And you will feel incredible for helping to support the cause. 
  1. MEANINGFUL FAMILY TIME – Many parents are constantly on the go. Sometimes we may see the constant shuffling of kids to activities and hours spent on homework as a burden. Try and look at these times in a more positive light. Bond with your family when possible and treasure times spent together. 
  1. ADOPT A FURBABY – There is nothing more satisfying than the devotion and loyalty of a pet, especially at the end of a challenging workday. No one loves us more unconditionally than a furbaby! 

We hope one or all of these New Year’s Resolutions resonate with you. Make 2018 a great year and Happy New Year from the team at Sentry Window Guards!

Filed Under: Community Involvement, Holidays Tagged With:

Keep Your Children Safe at Home This Holiday Season

December 20, 2017 by

Keeping your children safe is every parent’s first priority. At Sentry Window Guards, we understand how dangerous a fall from a window can be. In fact, by law in NYC, anyone with children 10 years or under must have window guards on their windows. On average about 5,000 kids fall each year from windows in the U.S. But did you know that approximately six kids per day die from all types of injuries in the home and 3.5 million kids are seen in the emergency department for these types of injuries? Here are 5 tips to help you protect your children in your home and keep them safe this holiday season and all year long:

  1. Pay attention: Parents get busy. We get that. However if you have a young child in the bathtub or around water, please give them your full and undivided attention. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1-4.
  1. Check smoke alarms: Check smoke alarm batteries every six months to help reduce the risk of death by home fires. A working smoke alarm can reduce this risk by half.
  1. Practice crib safety: Be sure and keep cribs clear of objects such as stuffed animals, bumpers and blankets. Hundreds of infants die each year due to suffocation or strangulation because of these objects in the crib.
  1. Hide medicines and cleaning products from kids: Make sure and keep all medicines and cleaning products up and away from curious little hands. Don’t leave medications on nightstands or kitchen/bathroom counters if children can reach them. Avoiding storing cleaning products under kitchen sinks unless you install childproof locks.
  1. Install window guards and safety gates: We’ve already mentioned how many kids fall each year in the U.S. from windows. Reduce this risk by installing window guards. We also recommend installing safety gates to keep children from falling down stairs. On average, 93,000 children age 5 and under are seen in the emergency department for stair-related injuries.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. While our business is to help prevent falls from windows, we also recognize other types of in-home injuries that affect children. We hope these 5 tips are taken seriously and will help you protect your children from home injuries. 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, Holidays, Safety Tips Tagged With: ,

Tips to Help You Trim the Tree Safely This Christmas

November 20, 2017 by

The holiday season is here New York! With the excitement and anticipation of this magical season, we want you to remember a few safety tips when trimming your Christmas tree. Although beautiful to admire, overloaded lights and dried-out trees are a recipe for fire disaster. According to the National Fire Protection Association, here are some scary facts:

FACT #1: Fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees each year.

FACT #2: One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical failures.

FACT #3: Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur they are more likely to be serious.

FACT #4: A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every five of the fires.

We advise you to take the necessary steps to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe during the holiday season.

1.  How to choose the right tree for your family:

  • Artificial Tree: Make sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
  • Live Tree: Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off when touched.

2. Where to place the tree in your home:

  • Cut 2” from the base of the live tree trunk before placing it into the tree stand.
  • Make sure the live or artificial tree is at least three feet away from any heat source such as a fireplace, radiator, candle, heat vents or lights, and not blocking an exit.
  • Add water to live tree stand daily.

3. How to safely light the tree:

  • Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety.
  • Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
  • Do not use more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
  • Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other firm support to protect from wind damage.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. Lights could short out and start a fire.

4. How to dispose of the tree after the holidays:

  • Get rid of the live tree when it begins dropping needles. Check with your local community to find a recycling program for your tree.
  • Bring outdoor electrical lights inside to prevent hazards and extend the life of the lights.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe in New York. While our business is to help prevent falls from windows, we also recognize the importance of preventing potential fire hazards in the home. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding New York City safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Holidays, Winter Home Tips Tagged With:

Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips for New Yorkers

December 2, 2016 by

The holidays in New York are a time when many people deck the halls with Christmas trees adorned with festive, twinkling lights. Although beautiful to admire, overloaded lights and dried-out trees are a recipe for fire disaster. According to the National Fire Protection Association, here are some scary facts:

  • Fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees each year.
  • One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical failures.
  • Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur they are more likely to be serious.
  • A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every five of the fires.

Let’s avoid the famous scene from the Griswold’s home in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and take the necessary steps to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe during the holiday season.

1.  CHOOSING THE TREE

  • Artificial Tree: Make sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
  • Live Tree: Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off when touched.

2. PLACING THE TREE

  • Cut 2” from the base of the live tree trunk before placing it into the tree stand.
  • Make sure the live or artificial tree is at least three feet away from any heat source such as a fireplace, radiator, candle, heat vents or lights, and not blocking an exit.
  • Add water to live tree stand daily.

3. LIGHTING THE TREE

  • Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety.
  • Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
  • Do not use more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
  • Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other firm support to protect from wind damage.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. Lights could short out and start a fire.

4. AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

  • Get rid of the live tree when it begins dropping needles. Check with your local community to find a recycling program for your tree.
  • Bring outdoor electrical lights inside to prevent hazards and extend the life of the lights.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe in New York. While our business is to help prevent falls from windows, we also recognize the importance of preventing potential fire hazards in the home. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding New York City safety requirements, contact us today!

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

Thank you, Veterans!

November 11, 2016 by

To all the Veterans – past, present and future – Thank you!

Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With:
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