These security bars prevent children from falling out windows and can be opened quickly in an emergency. They meet most state’s safety codes and are simple to install.
If you live in a building with ground-floor windows, window guards are important to your home’s security. However, it’s important to know a few things before installing them.
- Prevent Intruders
Window guards provide another layer of security for homes, especially those with ground-floor windows. A burglar can easily use a window to gain access and ransack a house, especially while the residents are asleep. A seasoned burglar only takes a few minutes to break into a home and steal valuables. Window guards deter burglars by making it more difficult for them to break into a house through a window, and they can help prevent children from falling out of second-story windows and getting hurt or pets from climbing out and wandering off.
Homeowners can also use a number of other simple steps to improve window security. For example, they can install motion detectors near their homes that will alert them if someone approaches the property, even if they aren’t home. They can also add a layer of defense with steel window guards that are specifically designed to protect windows and walls from burglars’ tools. Finally, they can use exterior floodlights to make it harder for burglars to hide in the dark around their homes.
While there is a wide range of security products available to keep homes safe, it’s important for homeowners to understand that no single product can deter all burglars. For example, if you live in an apartment building, a burglar can still break into your home through a window despite the presence of a security system. Therefore, you need to combine as many deterrents as possible and regularly check that they are in working order.
In addition to window guards, you can also install burglar alarms and home automation systems that connect to your home security and other devices like smart lights. These will not only deter burglars, but they can also allow you to monitor your home while you are away.
If you’re a vacation renter, it’s important to know that New York City requires all apartments to have window guards for children under 10. If you’re moving into a rental and the landlord doesn’t have them, you should inform them of the ordinance and ask them to install them. If they don’t comply, contact a New York Habitat agent to help you find a child-friendly apartment.
- Prevent Children from Falling
When young children or pets climb through open windows, they can fall out of the building. This can cause serious injury or even death. Window guards can help prevent this by preventing small animals or children from falling out of second-floor windows or wandering off through ground-floor windows.
Window guards screw securely into the side of a window frame, always providing safety and ventilation. They are easily installed and don’t affect the appearance of your home as much as other security options. In addition, the bars are affixed so tightly that burglars would need power tools to remove them. This makes them an excellent option for basement or ground-floor windows where children may attempt to escape through the windows.
Children can be very curious about their surroundings and will try to explore as they grow older. This is a normal part of development and can be an effective learning tool, but it can also lead to dangerous falls. Window guards can prevent injuries by preventing kids from falling out of windows. This can be especially important for apartment residents with very young children or infants in their homes.
In addition to a window guard, you should also consider installing a security alarm in your apartment or home. This will give you peace of mind that if someone does break into your apartment or home, the authorities will be alerted and come promptly.
You can also use other methods to keep your children safe, such as a safety gate at the top of stairs, keeping furniture away from windows, and using a baby monitor to prevent infants from climbing onto the window sills.
If you live in a NYC apartment and have a child under 10 years old, window guards are required by law. If you do not have window guards, you should consider requesting them from your landlord. They are an inexpensive and simple solution to help prevent your kids from falling from the windows and injuring themselves. If your landlord does not agree to install them, you can request an exemption by completing the appropriate form.
- Prevent Burglary
Burglary is one of the most common reasons people are looking for new ways to secure their homes. The fact is that burglars can use windows to get into homes and steal valuable items from them. Burglaries through open or unguarded windows are often the first entry points for criminals into a home, and they are among the most difficult types of break-ins to prevent.
Many burglars will look into a window before breaking in to see if there are enough easily accessible high-priced items to make the risk worth it. Using window sensors is an excellent way to deter them from entering your home, as these devices are designed to send a signal when the window is opened or breached. The signal can then trigger an alarm to scare off the burglar and alert the authorities to their presence in your house.
Window bars and security screens are other effective tools that you can use to protect your property from intruders. Both of these devices are similar to bug screens, but they are much more sturdy and harder to break. They can be installed on the inside of a window, and they typically have either a lock or a quick-release mechanism that is only accessible from the inside of your home. If you are worried about a burglar finding a way to open the bars or screens quickly, you can always opt for swing-away options that can be slid away and left behind for emergency escape or routine window cleaning.
In addition to bar and screen options, you can also use window film as a more decorative way to safeguard your windows. This type of product is typically made of clear or tinted material and can be placed directly on your windows. This is an especially good option if you live in a seismic zone, as it will help to keep glass shards from flying around your home during an earthquake. If you live in a building with multiple floors, it is recommended that you use this type of film on all your windows to protect you from falling debris.
- Prevent Damage
A window guard helps prevent windows from getting damaged if an intruder tries to break into your home. It also keeps children from being injured by falling out of a second-story window. Additionally, it helps to protect pets from climbing onto the roof of a building through a window. Window guards are available in a variety of materials and can be designed to match the décor of your home. They can be mounted on the inside or outside of your home, depending on the type of installation that is best for your needs.
Whether you live in a multi-family dwelling, co-op, or condo in New York City, having window guards in your apartment is not only a safety measure but also the law. In fact, New York City was one of the first major cities in the country to adopt an ordinance that requires window guards to be installed in apartments with children ten years old and younger living there.
While the law doesn’t specifically state how tall the window guards must be, it does require them to have horizontal bars that are spaced 4.5 inches apart and to have L-shaped stops screwed into place that prevent the windows from opening more than 4.5 inches beyond the bar. These devices must also not block access to fire escapes. If your building has these devices already in place, it’s important that you make sure they are functioning properly. The vibration of air conditioners can loosen screws, so it’s a good idea to check them regularly.
If your building lacks these safety measures, you can request them from management or your landlord. Many multi-family buildings keep a stockpile of the devices on hand so they can install them for residents who request them. Alternatively, you can install a childproofing screen that blends in and looks like your standard window treatment. These screens can be purchased from a number of different manufacturers, and they come in a variety of widths to fit most single and double-hung or sliding windows.