Window Guards for Child
Has anyone installed window guards in their home? I know it’s not required in private houses per the City, but we have a 1-yr old, low windows and no AC, so we like to have the windows open in the summer. Any info/suggestions appreciated.
Has anyone installed window guards in their home? I know it’s not required in private houses per the City, but we have a 1-yr old, low windows and no AC, so we like to have the windows open in the summer. Any info/suggestions appreciated.
My wife and I have a 2 year old and we installed “guardian angel” window guards; they are very logical in the sense that you can take out the bars in case of a fire, in case of any other reason for quick escape (or to install AC during the summer). I wouldn’t take chances with a child in the apt, we have seen our little one climb the window areas in ways we never imagined. Guardian Angel allows for the safety measures but without a potential obstacle to getting out through any window necessary.
I think “Tears in Heaven” by Clapton says it all about window guards in a house with kids in it.
Even if you have a “policy” of opening windows from the top, somebody is going to open the window in a way that a kid can out out it.
I agree installation is not that hard.
Protip: many of the window guards sold today are supplied with screws with strange beveled heads. These screws are designed so that they can only be screwed in and not taken out — presumably a benefit for landlords concerned about liability. For your purposes you’ll want to toss those and use regular screws.
No one would call either my husband or I handy, but we had no problem installing window guards bought from a hardware store years back. They sell in either the standard 3-bar height or the taller 5-bar size.
There’s information about window guard installation, as well as additional links at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/win/winbroc.shtml
NYC-approved guards can be purchased at the two hardware stores on Court St., one at approx. Livingston and the other at approx. Schermerhorn, if not available at your own local hardware store. In addition to link above, the guards come with installation instructions.
more4less is absolutely right in his science. Hot air rises and escapes more quickly when the top of the windows are open. If both sashes are open the room cools even faster, this allows even circulation. I would also go right along with his suggestion of window locks at a safe height allowing the bottom sash to rise enough air in without allowing the munchkin out.This will allow the thermo dynamic flow of air to flow properly. (Pretty good stuff huh?)
open windows on the top. Hot air rises so opening top window is actually more effect to cool the room(s). That said, you can screw in some stopper of some sort for the bottom window – ie put the stoper where window can only open up to about 6 inches high. This combo might be an alternative to the window guards but unsure if it’s a better alternative or not