How to Stay Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season

November 16, 2022 by

During the holidays, many families can be found traveling near and far to be with loved ones. It is the best part of the season!  Whether you are traveling for a quick overnight trip or for a longer period of time, it’s important to take steps to make sure everyone stays safe. Take time to protect your family with this checklist:

  • Suppress the urge to broadcast your holiday travel plans on social media sites both before and during your trip. While traveling, it is best to inform only those who need to know. There will be plenty of time to share thoughts and photos of your trip after you are safely home. 
  • Enroll in the Notify NYC alert system, which is New York City’s official source for information about emergency alerts and important city services. You can receive alerts through email, text, telephone, or social media. This will keep you informed about what is going on in your neighborhood while you are traveling.
  • If you are staying in a hotel or in another travel venue, make sure the security features like door locks, alarms, and safes are working when you first arrive. Packing a few simple safety items like a small wedge doorstop, safety whistle, and flashlight can also be helpful.
  • To ensure the safekeeping of your electronics, wallet, medications, valuables and other travel essentials while traveling by plane, pack them in your carry-on luggage. 
  • Pack smart with only the necessities. As the saying goes, “after you pack your bag, take 50% of it out!” Carrying around bags that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can cause injury to muscles and joints. Plus, overloading your vehicle with cargo can put you and others in danger. Make sure your view isn’t obstructed out the back or side windows. Secure any items that may cause harm in an accident.
  • Holiday traveling can quickly tire you out. Make frequent stops to rest or just stretch your legs. It’s important to keep your energy level high enough to stay alert. Staying nourished and hydrated will keep you at the top of your game. 
  • If you are traveling in your personal car, get a tune-up. The last thing you want during your holiday trip is to have problems with your car! While it is important to stay on top of regular car maintenance throughout the year, we strongly recommend a tune-up before a road trip. Be sure the oil, water, tire pressure, tire tread, and lights are checked at a minimum. Check that the registration and insurance of the vehicle are up to date and that you have the correct documents. Make sure you know how to file an insurance claim if necessary.
  • Practice safe driving. Buckle everyone up, don’t speed, and be aware of things that might distract you while driving. Did you know driving drowsy is a contributing factor in many accidents every year? Switch off with another adult driver when necessary and get a good night’s sleep prior to your trip.
  • Have fun! Part of the fun of any travel is being spontaneous so build some flexibility in your schedule. Of course you will want to plan your final destination and overnight stops, but you should also leave time for spontaneity. If a weird sign or billboard piques your interest, why not see where it leads? Stopping at random places along the way will add to the memories.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe in New York. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Safety Tips Tagged With: ,

Get Your NYC Home Ready for Spring with this Safety Checklist

March 16, 2022 by

Even if there is still a chill in the air, the first official day of spring is March 20. Bring in the season by running through this safety checklist for your home. No matter where you live, you should always feel secure in your own home. Even if you feel your home is already a safe space, it never hurts to take a look around with fresh eyes and spring is the perfect time to do that.

  • Store cleaning supplies carefully while spring cleaning. Instead of keeping your cleaning supplies under the sink, put them in a higher cabinet or buy locks for the cabinet doors. If someone in your home does consume a dangerous cleaning fluid, call poison control immediately, at 800-222-1222.
  • Clean gutters will keep rainwater flowing freely away from your home. Water from spring rain that gets clogged up in the gutters may lead to a leaky roof or work its way right into the walls and ceilings of your home. Left unnoticed, this type of water damage can quickly lead to mold. Spring is a good time to clean and inspect all your gutters for damage. 
  • Develop an emergency escape plan and have the whole family test it out once during the daylight and once at night. Check to make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut and teach children who are old enough how to properly and safely open windows during an emergency situation. Be sure your plan identifies a safe meeting place outside your home for everyone to gather.
  • Check all of your windows to make sure they are not a fall risk. Properly installed window guards are your best defense in preventing window falls as screens alone cannot support the weight of a child. Window stops allow you to enjoy the fresh spring breeze while ensuring windows won’t open wide enough to invite a fall. 
  • Smoke detectors and fire alarms help alert your family to fire and dangerous smoke while there is still time to evacuate. Carbon monoxide detectors alert you when there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. To ensure proper function, test these devices at least once a month and replace the batteries twice a year. Replacing batteries on daylight saving days in the spring and fall makes it easy to keep track.
  • Maintain your HVAC system by scheduling an inspection and changing out air filters.  Systems with cracks, dirty air filters, and poor ventilation can cause poor air quality, higher energy bills, and carbon monoxide buildup. 
  • Finally, be sure you are enrolled in the Notify NYC alert system, which is New York City’s official source for information about emergency alerts and important city services. You can receive alerts through email, text, telephone, or social media. This will keep you informed about what is going on in your neighborhood.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. We hope these tips will help you protect your family from at home injuries this spring. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Spring Home Tips Tagged With: ,

The Ultimate Security Guide for Apartment Renters

December 27, 2021 by

Deciding to relocate to a new apartment is a big decision. There are so many things to think about such as location, convenience, schools, amenities, and your budget. Use this guide to be sure you are selecting your new apartment with security in the forefront of your mind.

Selecting the Most Secure Apartment:

  • It is unrealistic to expect to find a completely crime-free neighborhood, but you can look online for crime trends in an area to see how they compare to national crime statistics. Another thing to look for is a good amount of street lighting at night as this can deter crime. Go for a walk around the neighborhood and as you are walking, make conversation with any friendly faces you find. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask for thoughts about the neighborhood. Many will be happy to talk to a potential new neighbor. Seeing people out walking and playing in a neighborhood lets you know that they feel safe.
  • As mentioned, good lighting can deter crime. Check that there is good lighting especially at night in all parking areas, stairwells, hallways, mailrooms, laundry rooms, and the waste disposal area.
  • Check for security items like a peephole, quality door locks, and cameras in public areas. While doors are the first line of defense for your security, windows are the second. Windows should have sturdy, easy to use locks. Look for secure window guards. NYC building owners are required to provide and properly install approved window guards on all windows, including first floor bathrooms, windows leading onto a balcony or terrace in an apartment where a child 10 years of age or younger resides, and windows in each common area, on any floor. Additionally, if tenants or occupants want window guards for any reason, even if there are no resident children 10 years of age or younger, the tenant can request the window guards in writing and the landlord must install them. 
  • Look for posted fire escape plans and severe weather shelter information.

Adding Extra Security Measures:

  • Even if renter’s insurance is not required, it is something you should strongly consider. Your landlord’s insurance only covers the building you live in, your renters insurance policy will cover your personal property. For a relatively low cost per month, it will cover the cost of your possessions that are lost or damaged due to burglary, a natural disaster, or vandalism.
  • At the very least you should change the cylinder of the locks and get a new key. Who knows how many people have a copy of the key or if it is hidden somewhere nearby. In many rental scenarios you will be required to provide your landlord with a duplicate of the key. An easy way to improve upon an existing lock setup would be to add an additional lock to your door that works like a door jammer. Beef up your door lock installation by using 3-inch screws on your strike plate. Door hinges should also be secured with 3-inch screws. The longer screws will make it more difficult for an intruder to kick the door open.
  • Store cash, jewelry, firearms, heirlooms, important documents, and other valuables inside a fireproof safe.
  • Investing in a security camera can provide some peace of mind. Many security cameras and smart video doorbells provide motion detection, night vision, and two-way talk. 

At Sentry Window Guards, we provide various types of childproof window locking mechanisms and safety devices for your home or business. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Safety Tips 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!

Filed Under: Holidays 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: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »