How to Safely Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

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!

Safety Tips for More Treats Than Tricks This Halloween

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

How to Make a Home Disaster Escape Plan

If a disaster such as a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely. This is why having and practicing an escape plan is so important. According to an NFPA survey, while 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 45% of those have practiced it. Both planning and practicing are important, especially if there are young children or anyone with mobility issues in the home. So, follow the steps below to create an effective disaster escape plan.

  • Draw a map of your home, indicating all windows and doors. As a family, visit each room of your home and find two ways out, labeling them on your map. Make sure windows and doors required for an escape are all accessible.
  • Discuss a plan to have one adult assigned to help get babies, young children, or family members who need extra help out safely. Teach able-bodied children techniques to escape on their own in case they can’t be reached.
  • Decide upon and draw up a meeting place outside of your home for everyone to gather after an evacuation. This can be a tree, light pole, or mailbox that is a safe distance away from the front of your home. Teach everyone to NEVER go back inside a burning building. Once they are out, stay out.
  • Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year. Practice once at night and once during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out. During the drill, test the smoke alarms so that everyone knows the sound. 
  • When you hold your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to the exit. During the drill is also a good time to teach children how to use the back of their hand to check doors for heat before opening and to use a different way out if the door is hot.
  • If escape ladders are part of your disaster escape plan, show everyone where they are kept and spend time practicing using them during your drill.
  • If you live in a multi-residence building, always plan to use the stairs to get out, never the elevator. Make sure to practice using the stairs as part of your escape plan. 
  • If you can’t exit a multi-residence building due to smoke or fire in the hallway or stairway, call the fire department to report your exact location and gather in a room with a window to await their arrival. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to create a seal around the door and over air vents in order to keep smoke from coming in. Wave a flashlight or light colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.
  • Children can become scared and confused during emergencies, so teach them not to hide from firefighters and other emergency personnel. 

A fire or other disaster can easily occur in your home, regardless of your home’s age, location, or condition. Take the time to make and practice an escape plan for the safety of everyone in your home. For more information regarding Sentry Window Guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

How to Protect Your Home While Traveling

Late summer and early fall are a great time to head out of town for a last minute getaway or visit distant family. There are always a million things to take care of before leaving, but don’t forget to secure your home before traveling for any length of time. It is hard to imagine a worse ending to a trip than returning to find that your home has been damaged or burglarized. Take time to protect your home with this checklist:

  • Place a hold on mail, newspapers, and packages in your absence. Overflowing mailboxes and newspapers piled up are a dead giveaway that you are away from home.
  • Take care of the yard before you leave town. Accumulating snow or leaves, grass in need of mowing, and overgrown hedges are a big sign that no one has been home for a while.
  • If you have a home security system, alert them of your travel plans and make sure the alarm is set properly when you leave. Display your security stickers prominently near your most obvious and accessible entry points like your front and back door. Signs from your security company make a bigger difference than most people realize.
  • Alert a trusted friend or neighbor of your travel plans and have them check in every few days. They can take care of any unexpected deliveries and carry on with normal routines such as watering plants and bringing trash cans to the curb. If you can afford it, and have someone willing, a house sitter is even better. 
  • Set timers on interior lights, and appliances like the television, to give the illusion that someone is always home. A house that looks lived in is less likely to become a target. Motion-sensor exterior lights can also prove to be useful for general home security when you are both home and away.
  • Remove any spare keys that you have hidden around your property. Being away gives crooks extra time to search for a key so don’t give them the opportunity!
  • Be prepared for a power surge while you are away. Unplug all electronics or make sure they are plugged safely into a surge protector.
  • Secure yard or patio items that could be picked up with a hefty gust of wind. You never know what the weather will stir up while you are away.
  • 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.
  • Do not broadcast your travel plans on social media sites either before or during your vacation. Before your trip, 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. 

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!

 

How to Keep Pets Safe and Secure in the Home

Sentry Window Guards knows that pets are a part of the family! Owning a pet can reduce stress, offer a constant companion, and create a fuller life. Because we love our pets so much, we want to keep them safe and secure when we are home and especially when we are away. Keep the following tips in mind to keep your beloved pets safe, secure, and healthy.

  • Make sure all electrical cords are taped down or they are out of reach. There is a risk of electrocution for pets that chew on an electrical cord. There is also the risk of a playful pet pulling a heavy item on top of them when playing with or getting caught in a dangling cord.
  • Watch out for choking hazards. Small items, like batteries, jewelry, toys, office supplies and more can cause your pet to choke if they chew on them. Keep these items high enough where your pet can’t reach them or store them in a secure container.  
  • The trash can is an area of temptation for curious pets, so it is important to keep your trash secure. Pets can find all sorts of dangerous objects in the trash can such as raw or spoiled food, household chemicals, or choking hazards. Either purchase a trash can with a pet safe lid or store the trash in the pantry or under the cabinet keeping the door closed at all times.
  • Keep food and water dishes clean. Bacteria can grow quickly in food and water bowls so they should be washed daily. Having at least two sets of food and water dishes on hand is helpful. You can use one set while the other set is being cleaned. 
  • Store cleaning supplies and other chemicals out of reach. Your garage, basement, and cabinets can house a number of substances that pets aren’t necessarily attracted to, but curiosity can get the best of them. Antifreeze is a particular danger because it smells sweet to pets and is deadly to them. Get medical help right away if your pet gets into any household chemicals.
  • Keep over the counter medicines, prescriptions medicines, and vitamins up and away from your pets. Plus, keep all medicines in their original child-resistant containers relocking safety caps after each use.
  • If you are a plant lover and a pet lover, be sure to do some research before combining your two loves. Certain plants, including lilies, tulips, foxglove, azaleas, ivy, chrysanthemum, daisies, geraniums and others, are toxic to pets.
  • Make sure your pet can be identified in case you are ever separated. Have them wear a collar with tags that contain your contact information. For extra protection, talk to your vet about getting them microchipped as well. 
  • Never leave pets unattended around open windows and make sure that the windows in your home are securely closed and locked before you head out. Properly installed window guards are your best defense in preventing window falls. It is also an excellent idea to place a decal on your window specifying you have pets to help emergency responders know to rescue your pets if you ever have an emergency at your home while you are away.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep all members of your family safe, even the furry members! For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Preventing Childhood Injuries this Summer

Summer is the time for kids to be active and have more time for fun and games. With the increase in activity comes an increase in the chance for an accidental injury. Keep your summer fun from turning into a summer fiasco with the following tips for preventing childhood injuries.

  • Keep your children safe while traveling around the city this summer. When riding a bicycle, all riders should follow the basic rules of the road and always wear a bicycle helmet. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute suggests that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by up to 88% for both adults and children. Teach your child the proper way to get on and off a bus starting with standing three large steps from the curb and to always remain visible to the bus driver. Teach your child pedestrian safety and to always look right, look left, look then right again when crossing the street.
  • Play it safe at the local park. Playground falls are inevitable, but the goal is to reduce the risk of serious injury with falls from monkey bars, slides, and swings. Look for playgrounds situated on soft surfaces like rubber or wood chips as opposed to concrete or gravel. Supervise children on playgrounds to ensure they are using the equipment properly and not engaging in risky behavior. 
  • Give young children your full attention around water of any kind. Accidental drownings can occur in even a few inches of water. Teach children to never go near or in water without adult permission. Keep gates around back-yard pools and hot tubs locked, empty containers like buckets and wading pools when not in use, and make sure your children wear life jackets when boating and engaging in other water sports.
  • Anchor the furniture in your home. Use fasteners and brackets to ensure bookshelves, dressers and cabinets will not fall over. An afternoon of summer boredom can turn your children into little climbing monkeys. 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.
  • 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. 
  • Be aware of the dangers associated with summer grilling and campfires. Children are at risk of severe burns caused by getting too close to a hot grill or fire and should never be left unattended around these hot surfaces. Both campfires and grills should be placed in an open area away from anything that could be flammable and all grill equipment should be properly inspected and maintained to prevent any malfunction.

We hope these tips will help you lead by example to make your summer a safe one for your children. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

Fun Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy This Summer

The days are longer and without school obligations your kids may find that they have more time on their hands than they know what to do with this summer. Make summer boredom a thing of the past with these fun activities. And don’t let the kids have all the fun, many of these activities can be fun for the whole family!

  • Scavenger Hunt – This fun activity can be adapted for indoor or outdoor and for all ages and interests. It’s easy, inexpensive, and can often be done using things already found around your home. Create a color themed scavenger hunt that can help toddlers learn their colors and help older kids discover all the different hues that can be found in the world around them. Do a scavenger hunt at night with flashlights for an added dimension of fun. A nature scavenger hunt can keep little ones focused during hikes, picnics, gardening, and other outdoor activities. For older kids and teenagers, you can design a scavenger that has secret codes or brain teasers they have to complete to get the clues. The possibilities are endless! 
  • Arts and Crafts – Now is the time to get creative and use up all those leftover art supplies from the school year. Create a summer mural by covering a basement or garage wall with a long piece of craft paper. Work on it all summer, adding to it little by little. Decorate your walkways with sidewalk chalk or create outdoor games such as twister, hopscotch, four square, or an obstacle course with the chalk for extra fun. Paint rocks to give as gifts or to decorate a garden. Summer is the time to get messy and get creative by recycling the materials you have at home into fun crafts.
  • Enjoy Nature – Summer is a great time to encourage your kids to unplug and go enjoy the great outdoors. 
    • Go for a walk around the neighborhood or a nature hike.
    • Take a swim in a pool or public access lake, river, or ocean.
    • Strap on helmets and take a ride around the city or countryside.
    • Start a garden and let the kids do the planting, watering, and weeding.
    • Make it a goal to play at a new park every week of the summer. Packing a picnic lunch will make it even more special.
    • Pick a clear area to run and fly a kite which will teach your kids patience and coordination. 
    • Surprising your kids with a water balloon fight on a hot day will make a great summer memory.
  • Brain Power – Just because it is summer doesn’t mean your kids can’t continue exercising their brain. Check here for a great list of science experiments you can do this summer. Visit your local library for books, educational computer games, and other educational activities. Bond with your kids over a challenging puzzle that you work on a little each day of the summer. Sharpen the kids video directing and editing skills by creating some home videos.

Of course, there are plenty of fun places to visit this summer in NYC. Check this list for some ideas to become a tourist in your own city. At Sentry Window Guards our main focus is your child’s safety. We provide various types of childproof window locking mechanisms and safety devices for your home or building to keep everyone safe this summer!  

How to Be Weather-Ready in New York City

Between severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, tropical storms, snow and ice storms, and droughts, New York sees its fair share of weather related emergencies.

The weather can certainly be unpredictable, in some cases you will have a few days to prepare for severe weather, in others only a few minutes. We have included some steps below to ensure you and your family are ready for the next round of severe weather in our area.

  • Collect and store items for an emergency supply kit. It is recommended by FEMA to have a 72-hour supply of food, water, medications, and other essentials for each family member. Be sure your emergency kit includes first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a whistle to signal for help, copies of important family documents, and blankets.
  • It is best to have multiple ways to be alerted of severe weather, especially at night. 
    • A NOAA weather radio with a tone alert is the best way to stay informed because power lines, wifi, and even cell towers can be knocked out during severe weather. The NOAA broadcast is directed by the National Weather Service. They broadcast weather forecasts, travel conditions, storm warnings and emergency alerts around the clock. If you would prefer to only receive updates specific to the NYC area, most models let you enter a location-based code, eliminating broadcasts that don’t pertain to you. Find a weather radio that can be powered by batteries, so you keep getting updates even in the event of a power outage.
    • Make sure your cell phone is subscribed to wireless emergency alerts. When the National Weather Service issues a severe weather alert for your location, the system looks to see which cell phone towers are included in the warning. All cell phone towers within the warning area send out an instant emergency alert to WEA-enabled devices. These alerts are pushed out for tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, hurricane warnings, dust storm warnings, extreme wind warnings, and tsunami warnings, as well as local dangers such as AMBER Alerts and evacuation orders.
    • 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.
  • Make sure all members of your household know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in a weather emergency. Decide ahead of time the safest place in your home to gather and ride out severe weather. Choose an interior location on the bottom level of your home away from all windows and exterior doors. You can even place blankets, cushions, shoes, and helmets in this location ahead of time. Get more ideas at Ready.gov
  • If you live in a high rise building, in most cases of severe weather you will shelter in place away from exterior walls and away from windows and glass. If your building is being evacuated during severe weather you will need to know where the closest emergency exit is located. Remember not to use elevators and stay to the right while going down stairwells to allow room for emergency workers. When possible, take your emergency kit with you.

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!

Entry Door Locks for Extra NYC Security

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!

 

 

How to Prevent Winter Slips and Falls

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!