Entry Door Locks for Extra NYC Security

March 15, 2021 by

Home security, especially entry door locks, is a popular topic of discussion in New York City as everyone wants to protect their family and belongings from ill intent. So it can be helpful to know how to make a home seem less attractive to burglars and how to take a more active role in protecting your belongings. There are several layers to consider when evaluating your home security and entry door locks are an essential element.

The Anatomy of a Door Lock

The cylinder is the part of the lock where the key goes. Single cylinder locks open with a key from the outside and with a thumb knob from the inside. A double cylinder lock opens from the outside and the inside with a key. Double cylinder locks are typically used for entry doors that contain a glass window as an intruder can break the glass and turn the knob of a single cylinder lock. But double cylinder locks pose a fire hazard as without the key you could be trapped inside the home during an emergency. Some local fire codes ban these locks. If you have moved into a new place, you should always at the very least change the cylinder of your 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.

A strike plate is the metal plate that attaches inside the doorframe and it is a very important part of your lock. A flimsy strike plate or a strike plate that is attached with short screws will bend easily when the door is kicked by an intruder.

A throw is the actual bolt that slides into the door jamb and locks the door.

Smart door locks are synced with your phone or tablet and can be monitored from anywhere. While they offer the convenience of remote access, smart locks offer little to no additional protection in comparison to a standard deadbolt set. They are still susceptible to physical break-in tactics, such as drilling and picking.

Tips for Choosing an Entry Door Lock

  • Higher-security locks will have hardened cylinders, unique pin configurations, and other defenses. 
  • The industry ranks locks from Grades 1 to 3, with Grade 1 locks being the most difficult to disable.
  • For maximum security, the dead bolt should always extend 1 inch from the door’s edge.
  • Choosing an entry door lock is one time you don’t want to save a few bucks if it means sacrificing quality and durability. Your lock is only as good as its quality 
  • An easy way to improve upon an existing lock situation would be to add an additional lock to your door that works like a door jammer. 
  • Beef up your 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.

Replacing your deadbolt lock does little to improve your home security if you leave other vulnerabilities unaddressed. 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!

 

 

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How to Prevent Winter Slips and Falls

February 14, 2021 by

Although we have not had record breaking snowfall totals in NYC this winter, we have still had our city blanketed in white several times with more on the way. So, now is a good time to be mindful of how to prevent winter slips and falls. During the winter months, slippery conditions caused by snow and ice make slips and falls some of the leading causes of injury. Follow these tips to stay safe this winter.

  • Plan your trips around the weather. When conditions are bad, only go out when it is absolutely necessary. Stay home and wait for conditions to improve whenever possible.
  • When freezing rain or snow is in the forecast, pre-treat paved surfaces around your home with de-icer, rock salt, sand, or kitty litter.
  • Remove snow as soon as possible from your porch stoops, steps, sidewalks and driveways.
  • If you must go out, give yourself plenty of time. Being in a hurry will definitely increase your risk of falling. Ice and snow mean “take it slow!”
  • Wear shoes with plenty of traction. You might even want to consider purchasing ice grippers for your shoes if you have to be in wintery conditions frequently.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather. Keeping your muscles warm and relaxed will help you maintain balance. Also, cold weather gear has more padding if you do take a tumble.
  • Be careful getting out of your vehicle. Planting both feet firmly on the ground before moving and steadying yourself on the door frame will help your balance. Watch for other vehicles stopping and sliding in parking lots.
  • Look for routes that have been cleared or have better access to sunshine for melting the ice.
  • Take short, flat-footed steps with your toes pointed slightly outward to maintain a stable base of support – think of how a penguin walks.
  • Tap your foot on potentially slick areas to see if they are slippery.
  • Avoid carrying heavy loads or children that may cause you to become off balance. 
  • Carry a flashlight or use the light on your phone to see slippery areas at night.

If you do take a tumble in the snow or ice, our best advice is to take your time getting up. Lay there for a second to see how you feel, as getting up too soon or having someone move you too soon could lead to further injury. After a few minutes if you feel like you can get up, bend your knees toward you, push up with your arms and then use your legs to stand up the rest of the way. Always carry a charged mobile phone to call for help in an emergency situation.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. We hope these tips will help protect you and your loved ones from slips and falls this winter. 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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How to Heat Your NYC Home Safely This Winter

December 10, 2020 by

Baby, it’s cold outside! Last month we discussed how to protect your household from deadly carbon monoxide fumes during the winter months. Now we want to touch on how to safely heat your NYC home this winter. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters, fireplaces, water heaters, stoves, and other heating units are leading causes of U.S. home fires. Use the safety tips and precautions below for a safe, warm winter.

  • Practice the 3-foot rule by keeping any flammable items at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including your water heater. Create a 3-foot “kid-free/pet-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. Invest in a baby play yard or fence system to maintain this distance.
  • Have an HVAC professional inspect your system and clean all the ducts at least once a year, but preferably twice before both the heating and cooling seasons. Also, change your furnace filter each month during the winter and remove all flammable materials from the area around your furnace.
  • Never leave space heaters unattended. Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. Make sure to place your heater on a flat, level, non-flammable surface such as ceramic tile rather than on carpet. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord. Your space heater should be completely cooled down before touching or moving it. 
  • Be careful when using an electric blanket for warmth. Do not cover or fold electric blankets when they are on. “Tucking in” an electric blanket can cause it to overheat and start a fire.
  • If you have a chimney, get it inspected annually for structural damage. Structural problems can allow high temperatures, sparks and embers to escape to combustible areas in walls, roofs or attics. Schedule regular cleanings to remove excess creosote from your chimney walls and ensure safe burning.
  • Smoke detectors and fire alarms alert your family to fire and dangerous smoke while there is still time to evacuate. To ensure proper function, test them at least once a month and replace the batteries at least once or twice a year.

By law, all New York City residential building owners must maintain indoor temperatures of 68 degrees during the day whenever outdoor temperatures fall below 55 degrees during the colder months. Overnight, indoor temperatures cannot fall below 62 degrees regardless of the outside temperature. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat and/or hot water, tenants should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent, or superintendent. If service is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Enforcing heat and hot water laws is just one of the many ways HPD Housing Inspectors help keep New Yorkers in safe and secure homes.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. We hope these tips will keep your family safe and warm this winter. 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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Childproofing Your Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic

July 19, 2020 by

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many families are spending much more time at home. This has been challenging for parents trying to sustain daily schedules, manage virtual school work and activities, all while maintaining work from home or essential worker jobs. Many families are practically tripping over each other in their home, which is now serving as a place to work, play, learn, and exercise. And parents are being asked to multitask in ways that they typically have not been before. All of these circumstances lead to an increased need for childproofing around the home. Even if you feel your home is already a safe space for your child, it never hurts to take a look around with fresh eyes to see whether there are any holes in your safety strategy.

  • Anchor furniture. Use fasteners and brackets to ensure bookshelves, dressers and cabinets will not fall over. 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.
  • Keep medicines and vitamins up and away and out of sight and reach of children. And keep medicines in their original child-resistant containers relocking safety caps after each use.
  • Store cleaning supplies carefully. Instead of keeping your cleaning supplies under the sink, put them in a higher cabinet or buy locks for the cabinet doors. Hand sanitizers pose an especially high risk to children right now because people are using them more often, and some are brightly colored which attracts curious littles. Most sanitizers contain at least 60 percent alcohol, potentially causing serious injury when consumed by a child. If someone in your home does consume a dangerous cleaning fluid, call poison control immediately, at 800-222-1222.
  • Use properly installed safety gates on stairs and lock any rooms where access needs to be monitored.
  • Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home.
  • 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. 
  • Give young children your full attention in the bathtub or around water. Teach children to never go near or in water without adult permission. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1-4.
  • 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.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. We hope these tips will help you protect your children from home injuries during the Coronavirus pandemic. 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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5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in NYC Residences

March 18, 2020 by

Sentry Window Guards Installed 1150 window guards on the Tapestry Avenue Project.

Due to more New Yorkers being homebound right now, indoor air quality needs to be addressed more than ever!

While most expect poor indoor air quality (AIQ) to be at its worst “seasonally,” poor IAQ is actually a year-round issue that needs to be addressed. Poor IAQ can cause problems such as headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation. More serious risks can include asthma and allergies. Unfortunately children and the elderly are more at risk to experience symptoms of poor IAQ. Here are some common sources for poor IAQ and solutions to reduce the risks to help keep you and your family safe in your home:

  1. Interior paint & new carpets: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gasses released by many household products such as interior paint and new carpets. Try to use a low concentration of VOC-paints and leave windows open and a fan running while painting. Choose low-VOC carpet to also help reduce the amount of VOC gasses emitted.
  1. Cleaning products: Try and avoid cleaning products containing chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine. Replace with hot water, baking soda and less-toxic cleaning products.
  1. HVAC systems: Systems with cracks, dirty air filters and poor ventilation can cause dangerous carbon monoxide buildup. Maintain your HVAC system on a regular basis by scheduling annual inspections and changing out air filters. Also make sure your carbon monoxide alarm is properly working with fresh batteries.
  1. Gas stoves: Improperly installed or vented stoves can dangerous. Vent the stove with a fan that blows properly and make sure burners are adjusted correctly.
  1. Cigarette smoke: If someone in your home is a smoker, the best solution is to have the smoker smoke outside. Also keep in mind that second hand and third hand (smoke that lingers in clothes, cushions and carpets) smoke can be especially harmful to children and the elderly.

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 the importance of safe air quality in homes. 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, Safety Tips Tagged With: ,
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