Replacement Windows for Safety & Accessibility in Your Long Island Home

Keep Your Long Island Family Safe with the Right Replacement Windows

“There were no books, pens, paper or ink, and no glass in the openings they believed to be windows. It is a little thing — glass is — until it is absent, then it becomes a big thing.”

Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

At Renewal by Andersen of Long Island, we’re more than happy to talk to our customers about the wonderful benefits of installing our replacement windows until the cows come home, but today we’d like to talk about a more serious topic – safety in the home.

More than 5,000 children suffer injuries from falling out of windows each year in the United States. Recently, a toddler suffered fatal injuries after falling from a sixth floor home in Crown Heights. Don’t think that living in a single-story home means accidents are less likely to happen, either.

There is some good news. Experts say that most injuries can be prevented with just a few simple safety measures like moving furniture away from operable windows to prevent young children from climbing through open windows and engaging locks when children are left unattended – even briefly.

Simple safety measures you can take to reduce risks

• Talk to your replacement window specialists about window locks and insect screen latches.
• Plant thick ground cover or low bushes under windows to soften the landing surface should a fall occur.
• Move furniture away from windows in children’s rooms – especially children under 5, since this age group is more likely to suffer serious injuries associated with a fall from a window than any other age group.
• Be extra vigilant during warm weather. More incidents occur in spring and summer than in cool weather months.
• Choose double-hung windows for children’s rooms. One design feature of double-hung windows is that the both the upper and lower sash open to allow fresh air to enter your rooms. Make it a habit to keep the lower sash in place and drop the upper sash when you want extra ventilation.

A quick word about landscaping and safety . . .

While ground cover and low shrubbery help protect young children during an accidental fall, it is important to consider your whole family when deciding on landscaping details. If you plant shrubs too close to your windows, firefighters may have limited access to first floor rooms in an emergency. Sliding windows and doors are more practical than crank-out awning and casement type windows unless you have four to six feet between the opening and trees, shrubs or tall ornamental plants.

The character quoted above from Mark Twain’s classic was talking about the bland surroundings and an almost unbearable lack of decorative elements in the sixth century — like “windows” that didn’t have glass panes – surely we can all agree that a glassless window would be boring and dysfunctional by today’s standards. Long Island homeowners expect windows to seal out inclement weather AND open wide to let the sunshine and fresh air flow freely when weather permits. A missing glass pane – even temporarily – can be a “big thing”.

Safety and replacement windows cleaning and maintenance

You’ll find that most Renewal by Andersen replacement window styles make cleaning both the exterior surface and the interior surface convenient from inside your home. However, as easy as it is to get your windows clean, there are some safety measures you can take to prevent injuries.

• Don’t clean windows on a ladder unless you have a partner to steady the appliance. If you use a ladder to reach high windows, make sure the ladder is firmly positioned on a level surface.
• Remember that glass is heavy. If you need to remove large sash and framed panel, ask for help to avoid back injuries.
• When cleaning double-hung tilt windows, rest the lower sash on a sturdy bench or chair to support the weight and prevent damage to your windows.
• Keep small children away from window openings during cleaning. It only takes a few seconds for a toddler to attempt to climb through a window while your hands and mind are occupied with cleansers and tiny fingerprints on surfaces.

Renewal by Andersen of Long Island: Let Us Help You Create A Safer Home Environment with our Replacement Windows

Renewal by Andersen of Long Island window consultants are happy to help you design beautiful, stylish windows for your home that make life safer and more comfortable for every member of your family — from the youngest to the oldest. If you need more information about replacement window styles and designs to keep your family safe, please give us a call at (866) 609-5033 or enter your contact information in the form on this page and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.