How to Control Humidity in Your NYC Home this Summer

May 24, 2023 by

As spring turns into summer, temperatures rise in NYC bringing the dampness and stickiness of humidity. As humidity levels rise not only can it make your home uncomfortable, it can also cause mold and other damage. The ideal range for indoor humidity is between 30-50%. Balance is important because both too much and too little humidity can become problematic.

Signs the Humidity Level is Too High in Your Home

  • Feeling like your skin is moist or clammy
  • Condensation on windows/doors
  • Chipping paint on window frames
  • A musty smell
  • Rotting wood
  • Visible mold or mildew
  • Creaking or buckling floorboards

The easiest way to accurately determine the humidity level in your home is to purchase a hygrometer which measures moisture levels in the air. These devices can easily be found at your local hardware store. If you notice signs of extra moisture in your home, the tips below can help to get summer humidity under control.

Ventilation: Showering, cooking, doing laundry, and dishwashing are a few of the activities that can invite humidity into your home if you do not have proper ventilation. It is important to run ventilation fans in the kitchen and bath areas to reduce the overall amount of damp air. If fans are not an option, opening windows or turning on an oscillating fan can also assist in drying things out. Another option is to lower the temperature of your showers and the water involved in your cleaning tasks by just a few degrees. This will reduce the amount of steam added to the air, which will reduce humidity. Appliances that produce moisture such as dryers and stovetops should be properly vented to the outside of the home and not the attic.

Air Conditioning: While the main function of an air conditioner is to control temperature, did you know they can also help to keep a good balance of moisture in the air? Of course, annual maintenance is essential for keeping your air conditioner running as efficiently as possible. A little history lesson: The first modern electrical air conditioner was created for the purpose of controlling humidity in a publishing company to prevent the paper from expanding and to help the ink to dry faster.

Humidity Reducing Houseplants: Most plants actually release more moisture into the air, but there are a few that help to lower humidity. These house plants absorb moisture from the air through their leaves and can be helpful when used in conjunction with other humidity reducing solutions. A few humidity reducing plants to consider are the peace lily, boston fern, english ivy, reed palm, and tillandsia. 

Crawl Space and Basement Control: There is a chance the humidity levels in your home are inching upward because of the basement or crawl space. Unfortunately, the dampness from these areas can spread upward into the rest of your home. A good fan or the installation of a sump pump in this area can greatly reduce humidity. It is also helpful to cover dirt floors in crawl spaces with a plastic vapor barrier.

Dehumidifier: The most efficient way to remove extra moisture in the air is to use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is an easy way to make your home less hospitable to common allergy triggers like dust mites, mold, and mildew that thrive in humid environments. Using a dehumidifier may also reduce your air conditioning usage this summer, because it won’t have to work as hard to keep humidity levels low. 

At Sentry Window Guards our business is to help prevent falls from windows, but we also recognize the importance of good indoor air quality in homes. For more information regarding Sentry Window Guard products and how they keep everyone safe at home in NYC, contact us today!

Filed Under: Summer Home Tips Tagged With: , , ,

7 Home Improvement Projects to Tackle This Winter

January 18, 2023 by

It is never a bad idea or a bad time to invest in your New York home and capitalize on the long term benefits of home improvement, even in winter! Take time to make updates now so you can spend more time enjoying your home when warmer weather arrives.  All of the improvements listed below can be done in just one weekend. 

  1. Installing a Smart Thermostat – If your current thermostat is manual you may be spending a lot of time adjusting the temperature to balance comfort and energy efficiency. A smart thermostat allows you to see how much energy you’re actively using. Many smart thermostats also supply tools that allow you to plot out how much more you can save if you adjust the temperature by a few degrees here or there.
  2. Upgrade Your Doors – If you are looking for a quick and easy update to your home, why not start with the front door? A new front entry door will add to the beauty of your home, reduce utility bills, and the project can be completed in an afternoon. 
  3. Freshen Up With Paint – Painting is an easy, cost-effective way to completely transform the look of your home. Choosing lighter colors will make your home seem larger, cleaner, and more appealing. If your walls are still in pretty good shape, washing them can give the same desired look.
  4. Update the Fixtures – Making updates in light fixtures, bathroom fixtures, kitchen fixtures, door knobs, or cabinet hardware can make a huge difference. Fixtures go in and out of style pretty frequently and can easily make a beautiful home look dated. 
  5. Refresh the Cabinets – Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are highly visible because they are at eye level. For cabinets that are in good structural shape, a deep clean may be all that is needed to get them looking their best. If that fails, painting or refacing them is a much cheaper option than replacing them altogether.
  6. Add a Whole House Surge Protector – This device can protect the electronics in your whole home from voltage surges caused by lightning strikes or other electrical issues. It is especially important to protect high priced appliances with electronic circuit boards as these are costly to replace.
  7. Install Window Guards – Properly installed window guards are your best defense in preventing window falls. Window stops are also a very useful safety device. Some new windows come with window stops already installed to prevent the windows from opening more than 4 inches. If your windows don’t already have stops, they can be added to your frame. These devices will allow you to enjoy a fresh breeze while ensuring windows won’t open wide enough to invite a fall. 

Sentry Window Guards is your one-stop solution for window guards and window stops. From start to finish, our professionally trained staff can assist you in your window project. We can troubleshoot, measure, fabricate, supply, and install all within a 24 hour period. All Sentry powder coated window guard products are warranted for life against rust. Sentry is also capable of matching any color that isn’t part of our standard color selection. For more information regarding our products and how they keep everyone safe at home in NYC, contact us today!

Filed Under: Winter Home Tips Tagged With: , ,

12 of the Most Important Home Safety Tips for Aging Relatives

October 17, 2022 by

New York City families consistently struggle with home safety and the best way to adapt housing to help aging relatives. Whether this means keeping them in their own home or modifying a family member’s home, there are many items to take under consideration. Falls, burns, and poisonings are among the most common accidents involving older people. If an older adult is in overall good health, there are many things that can be done to help them continue to live independently. In addition to  checking in on them frequently, here are some important home tips to keep everyone safe.

  1. Create an open environment in the home by making sure all hallways, stairs, and paths are well lit and clear of objects such as books or shoes. Decluttering helps clear out rooms and walkways giving older adults more room to move, hopefully reducing the possibility of trips and falls. 
  2. Rugs can be a tripping hazard, especially for older adults using walkers, canes, or shoes with inserts. If you do not want to remove rugs, tape or tack all edges to the floor and add anti-slip pads.
  3. Replace all standard door knobs with lever handles which are easier for older adults to grasp.
  4. Thoroughly inspect the stairs looking for uneven steps or wobbly floorboards. Apply non-skid treads on the steps if necessary. You can also paint stair tops a contrasting color making them easier to see.
  5. Tighten inside and outside handrails by checking the hardware that supports the handrail to make sure it’s firmly attached and in good condition.
  6. Water, rugs, slippery surfaces, and small spaces can all make it difficult to maneuver around in bathrooms, leading to slips and falls. Install grab bars around the tub, shower, and toilet. You can also get a special shower chair or bench and a raised toilet seat. Installing a hand-held showerhead makes the shower easier to use, especially when cleaning hard-to-reach places. Use non-slip mats and rugs to eliminate falls on slippery surfaces.
  7. Moving frequently used kitchen items to lower shelves can prevent older adults from reaching and losing balance or trying to use stools or stepladders.
  8. Setting the thermostat on the water heater no higher than 120° F will help prevent accidental burns.
  9. Help them remain safe in the home by installing a peephole and reminding them not to answer the door to strangers when they are home alone.
  10. Alert your loved one to ongoing scams targeting seniors. Remind them to talk over offers made by telephone salespeople with a friend or family member and not to share personal information, such as social security number, credit card, bank information, or account passwords with people they do not know.
  11. Prevent window falls by using properly installed window guards.
  12. Install a mail slot in the front door to help prevent mail theft and make it easier to receive mail.

If you need to make modifications in the home for an older adult, hire professionals with accessibility improvement experience who can complete the work successfully. Sentry Window Guards is your one-stop solution for window guards. From start to finish, our professionally trained staff can assist you in your window guard project. We can troubleshoot, measure, fabricate, supply, and install all within a 24 hour period. All Sentry powder coated window guard products are warranted for life against rust. Sentry is also capable of matching any color that isn’t part of our standard color selection. For more information regarding our products and how they keep New York City residents of all ages safe at home, contact us today!

Filed Under: Safety Tips Tagged With: ,

8 Ways to Keep Cool Until End of Summer

August 19, 2022 by

The highest of temperatures are hopefully past us in New York City, but summer is not over yet! Sometimes even small changes can have a huge impact on the effort it requires to stay cool. We rounded up eight ways to keep your cool until the end of the summer

Check Insulation

Lack of insulation and poor quality insulation both allow unwanted summer heat to seep indoors, particularly in upper areas of the home like the attic. Upgrading the insulation in your home can stabilize indoor temperature both in the summer and the winter. While you are checking your insulation, look for leaks along the exterior of your home which let valuable conditioned air escape year-round. Air leaks are especially common around doors, windows, electrical outlets, recessed lighting, wiring penetrations, and attic hatches.

Maintain the A/C Unit

Over time, air conditioning units can accumulate dust and dirt in key areas, causing build-up that can drain the efficiency of your unit by roughly 5 percent each year. Skipping maintenance regularly forces your air conditioner to work harder and also increases your risk of having to make a costly repair. Schedule preventative maintenance for your system and if it has been more than 3 months since you changed the filter, do that now! The dirtier your air filter, the harder the system has to work to keep your home cool.

Rearrange the Furniture

If you have furniture blocking your HVAC registers, your system will have to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature. To keep air flowing freely, take the time to move your furniture around to provide ample room around all your intake and outtake registers.

Turn on Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan or other circular fan can make you feel six or seven degrees cooler via the wind-chill effect. It is important to know that unlike air-conditioning, a fan doesn’t actually make the air in a room or space cooler. Instead, the fan cools the occupants. So remember to turn all fans off when no one is enjoying them to reduce electricity use. During the summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to push cool air down to the floor.

Close Window Treatments

Sunlight streaming in through the windows is beautiful to look at, but it brings added heat into the home. To keep your cool for the rest of the summer, close curtains, blinds, and shades on the sunny side of your house, especially during peak sunlight hours. Thermal lined shades are especially effective at reducing heat from sunlight.

Run Ventilation Fans

Use kitchen, bathroom, and even laundry room ventilation fans to remove heat and humidity from these areas. Make sure the fans are vented to the outside, not just the attic.

Change the Light Bulbs

Use energy-efficient light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. ENERGY STAR lighting produces 70 to 90 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs.

Install Energy Efficient Windows

Installing high efficiency windows will not only reduce your cooling costs, it is also one of the surest ways to increase your home’s resale value and build equity. 

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 expertise in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Filed Under: Summer Home Tips Tagged With: ,

Safety Prevention Saves Lives: A Real Life Tragedy

February 10, 2020 by

The following story is based on a real life experience. This type of tragedy can happen when the proper measures aren’t taken. And unfortunately this isn’t the only story regarding children falling out of windows to their death.

“A nine dollar window guard,” Jason says. “That’s all it would have taken to protect my son. And I didn’t even think about it.”

No parent should have to endure the trauma of having a child fall out of a window. Jason and Becca Cunningham* experienced just that when one of their three-year old sons fell from his second-story bedroom window. Although their son landed on his head on the concrete, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and temporary paralysis, he did regain his health after intense, long-term therapy. With thousands of window fall accidents involving children in the U.S. each year, many stories don’t turn out with a happy ending. Many children die or sustain life-long injuries.

The Cunninghams did not reside in New York City, where homeowners must have window guards on their windows BY LAW if children 10 years or younger are living in the home. As a matter of fact, window safety wasn’t even on Jason and Becca’s radar as it probably isn’t with many families. Here are a few tips to help keep your home safer and prevent window fall accidents from occurring:

Tip #1 – Install window guards and stops. Properly installed window guards are your best defense in preventing window falls. Window stops are also a good idea to help allow you to enjoy a fresh breeze while ensuring windows won’t open wide enough to invite a fall.

Tip #2 – Open windows from the top and close after use. If you have windows that can open from top and bottom, choose opening the top versus the bottom to prevent falls. Don’t leave opened windows unattended if small children are present.

Tip #3 – Be sure windows are clear of chairs, cribs or other furniture being too close in proximity, especially if you have crawlers or climbers.

At Sentry Window Guards, our business is to keep children safe by preventing window fall accidents from occurring. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

 

*As a result of their traumatic experience, Jason and Becca became active members of the Stop at 4” Window Fall Prevention campaign in Portland, Oregon. Becca even went on to help educate other parents regarding the importance of window fall prevention with her book titled ‘If Kids Could Float!’

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