Safeguard Your Home: 5 Essential Fall Maintenance Tasks

October 13, 2023 by

Fall is a season of transition, marked by cooling temperatures and the colorful transformation of leaves. It is also an important time to protect your property and ensure your family’s safety. Let’s delve into five fundamental fall maintenance tasks that will secure your home and bring you peace of mind. From ensuring your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are in top condition to preparing your heating systems for the upcoming winter, we’ll guide you through the steps needed to maintain a secure and comfortable home. We will also delve into the importance of addressing leaks promptly to prevent water damage and the significance of staying vigilant against pest invasions. Of course, we will highlight the often-overlooked significance of window safety, emphasizing the need for proper window guards and stops to safeguard against accidents. Stay safe and secure with these simple home maintenance tasks!

  • Check your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Your family’s safety starts with functional smoke detectors and fire alarms. They alert your family to fire and smoke, giving you crucial time to evacuate. Carbon monoxide detectors take on the all important task of notifying you of dangerous levels of this odorless gas. Ensure all of these devices work properly by conducting monthly tests and changing the batteries twice a year. A handy reminder is to replace batteries during the spring and fall daylight saving time transitions.
  • Inspect and maintain all sources of heat before winter. As winter approaches and temperatures drop, it’s essential to ensure your heating systems are in optimal condition to keep your family warm. HVAC systems with cracks, dirty air filters, and poor ventilation can cause poor air quality, higher energy bills, and carbon monoxide buildup. In addition, annual safety inspections and cleanings for both your chimney and fireplace are highly recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. Creosote, an oily wood-tar residue, can cling to chimney walls and pose a significant risk, potentially causing fires to escalate out of control. Stay safe by scheduling regular maintenance for these items.
  • Repair any leaks and address water damage. Unnoticed leaks can cause costly water damage in your home. Inspect potential areas like basements, crawl spaces, under sinks, around faucets, toilets, showers, and beneath appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators. After fixing leaks, promptly deal with any discovered water damage to prevent further issues. Excess moisture can rapidly lead to mold growth if left unattended.
  • Keep pest control up to date. As temperatures drop and leaves change, unwanted pests will be seeking warm shelter and food, posing risks to your home. Pest infestations, whether insects, rodents, or snakes, can cause substantial, uninsured damage. Regular inspections and swift action are key to keeping your property pest-free.
  • Protect your family with window guards. Ensure your windows are safe and secure to prevent accidents. Window guards, when correctly installed, are crucial in preventing falls, as screens alone can’t support a child’s weight. Use window stops to enjoy the fresh, fall air without the risk of windows opening too wide and posing a fall hazard. By taking these simple precautions, you can make your home a safer place for everyone!

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. By following these essential fall maintenance tasks, you’re not just protecting your property; you’re safeguarding your loved ones. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

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New York City Holiday Activities for the Whole Family

December 16, 2022 by

One of the best things about the New York City holidays is experiencing the magic of it all with friends and family. The holiday season is the perfect time to get out and explore all that New York City has to offer. Nobody celebrates the holidays like we do! Check out the list below and make time to experience some holiday magic with your family.

  • Artechouse’s Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse – Explore this multi-story, interactive art space filled with projections and music that transports you to a holiday extravaganza. It is located in the Chelsea Market, which always gets decked out for the holidays and is an experience all in itself! New York and New Jersey residents can present their ID for $5 off weekday admission.
  • Amaze Light Festival – Be immersed in a million twinkling lights as you stroll inside larger-than-life themed worlds. The spirit of the Holiday will unfold before you in a universe of sparkle, music, food, dance, celebration, and wonder. Make sure to visit the holiday market for a sweet treat!
  • New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and Glow –  See model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 190 replicas of New York landmarks, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. Plus, take in NYC’s largest outdoor holiday light experience at NYBG GLOW. Thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient lights and whimsical, picture-perfect installations reflect the surrounding gardens and collections. This holiday outing will be complete with music, unique experiences, and more!
  • Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square – The magic of Macy’s creates a 13,000-square-foot North Pole Christmas village complete with live elves, an enchanted forest featuring animatronic toys, and a train display. At the end of your adventure, you get to visit with the one true Santa. Reservations are FREE and can be made online up to 5 days in advance. 
  • Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights – During the evenings, the Bronx Zoo comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration includes festive entertainment, seasonal treats, the Holiday Train, and classic holiday music. 
  • Dyker Heights Christmas Lights – The most extravagant Christmas light displays in the country are located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, aka “Dyker Lights.” Over 100,000 people flock to this area every year to see the most over-the-top decorations.
  • Holiday Caroling Under the Washington Square Arch – Join The Rob Susman Brass Quartet for a holiday celebration under the Washington Square Arch. The annual Christmas carol event fills the city streets with the sweet sounds of holiday carols. 
  • The Largest Menorah Lighting: Brooklyn – Chabad of Park Slope hosts the 32-foot “Largest Menorah” in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. There’s a kick off concert on Sunday, December 18, and each subsequent night of Hanukkah is celebrated with music, latkes, and gifts. 
  • Prospect Park’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks – End the holiday season with Brooklyn’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration which is returning to Prospect Park’s iconic Grand Army Plaza after a three-year hiatus.

All of us at Sentry Window Guards hope that your holiday gatherings and celebrations are filled with joy! For more information regarding our window guard products and our expertise in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today. 

Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With: ,

How to Safely Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

November 22, 2021 by

Baking, looking at lights, listening to music, watching holiday movies, opening gifts, enjoying good food and drinks, and decorating are all ways to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. A beautifully decorated home and a warm fire are usually the backdrop for creating these holiday memories. But there are some safety hazards associated with holiday decorating that you should be aware of. Here are some safety tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe during the holiday season:

  • Choose a tree to decorate carefully. If you prefer an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant. When choosing a live tree, test the freshness by bending the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off. Add water to a live tree daily to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Place all trees at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of heat.
  • If you have pets or kids, always secure and anchor the tree itself. We all know how tempting a fully decorated tree is for toddlers and fur babies. Hanging jingle bells on the bottom of your tree will give you a heads up when kids and pets are pulling on the branches.
  • As you are getting out holiday lights, inspect them thoroughly. Anything with frayed cords, exposed wires, damaged sockets, or loose connections should be discarded. If you replace a bulb, make sure it matches the original wattage. Only use lights that have been tested for safety – look for a certification mark from UL, CSA, ETL or other nationally-recognized laboratories. 
  • Don’t string more than three strands of lights together per extension cord. Use heavy-duty extension cords, and only use cords outdoors if they are designated for outdoor use. Outdoor lights should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). GFCIs help prevent electric shock by breaking the circuit when differences in the currents of hot and neutral wires occur. Fasten outdoor lights securely to your home or trees with clips. Never staple, nail through, or fasten electrical wires or extensions cords in any way that might damage the wire or insulation.
  • Turn lights and other electrical decorations off whenever you go to sleep or any time you leave the house. Using a timer can help with this chore.
  • Place lit candles away from flammable or combustible materials, including other decorations, fabrics, plastic, or paper products. Do not place candles where they can easily be knocked over and never leave a lit candle unattended. When possible, use battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles to avoid the hazards of an open flame.
  • Holiday plants like Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly and Lilies can be harmful to pets so place them out of reach.
  • Have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.

Take the time to decorate with safety in mind to fully enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer. For more information regarding Sentry Window Guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

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Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Trick-or-Treat & Candy

October 30, 2019 by

At Sentry Window Guards, our business is to keep children safe by preventing window fall accidents from occurring. We also recognize keeping kids safe outside the home. Halloween is an exciting time for kids of all ages! It’s an opportunity to dress up like your favorite superhero, a creepy character or even a big pickle! Fun costumes, themed parties and trick-or-treating makes this time of the year everyone’s favorite! It’s also a time of the year where accidents can happen. It’s important to make safety a priority. Check out these safety tips to keep your kids safe this Halloween!

Costume Safety Tips:

  1. Choose costumes and accessories that fit well to prevent trips and falls.
  2. Check labels to make sure costumes and accessories are flame resistant.
  3. When possible choose face paint and makeup instead of masks to prevent vision obstruction.
  4. Avoid decorative contact lenses, which can lead to eye injury.
  5. Decorate costumes and trick-or-treat bags with reflective tape or stickers for greater visibility.

Trick-or-Treating Tips:

  1. If you have young children, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them. If older children are going alone in a group, be sure to review the route you approve of and agree on a curfew.
  2. In addition to reflective tape or stickers on costumes and trick-or-treat bags, carry flashlights.
  3. Look both ways before crossing a street and use crosswalks when possible.
  4. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways. Never cut across yards or use alleys.
  5. Remain on well-lit streets and walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
  6. Avoid homes that are not lit and do not accept rides from strangers.
  7. When entertaining trick-or-treaters at your home, be sure items are removed from the porch and front yard to prevent trips and falls. Sweep leaves and debris from sidewalks and steps. Restrain pets, especially if Buddy is prone to biting young children.

Candy Inspection Tips:

  1. Do not let your child eat their candy before they get home unless inspected.
  2. Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
  3. Toss out any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  4. Homemade treats should be avoided unless you know the person that made them.

We hope these safety tips are taken seriously and will help you protect your children from accidents this Halloween. 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 Tagged With: ,

Tips To Avoid Christmas Tree Fire Hazards During the Holidays

December 5, 2018 by

Happy Holidays 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:

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

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

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

#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, Safety Tips, Winter Home Tips Tagged With: , ,
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