‘Home should be the safest place’
Lawmakers urge Flushing families to install window guards after recent tragic falls
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
After numerous accidents
involving children falling
out of windows, two Flushing
lawmakers are urging parents,
building owners and landlords
to take steps to ensure that
children remain safe in
their homes.
Councilman Peter Koo and
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky
on Aug. 2 raised awareness
by distributing multilingual
cards to residents on how
to obtain window guard
safety measures in front of
142-28 38th Ave., the site of a
previous accident.
In June, a 3-year-old boy
fell from the sixth-floor
window of an apartment
and onto the third-floor
balcony of a neighboring
building along 38th Avenue
in Flushing, QNS reported.
The toddler was rushed
to North Shore University
Hospital in Manhasset in
stable condition.
“All too frequently
we hear tragic stories of
accidents that could have
been prevented. We need to
protect children, especially
at home, by ensuring tenants
and landlords understand
their responsibility when it
comes to window guards,”
Stavisky said. “Home should
be the safest place for children.
Many residents may not know
that they are eligible for
these devices that can help
prevent injuries and fatalities.
I urge parents to take this
opportunity to protect
their child.”
Koo and Stavisky’s offices
will be canvassing the
Flushing area to make sure
residents know their rights.
“If residents or landlords
have any questions or
concerns about their rights or
how to install window guards,
we strongly encourage them
to contact 311 or our offices
to make sure their homes are
(From l. to r.): Dr. Amita Toprani from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Councilman Peter Koo, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky,
Deputy Commissioner AnnMarie Toprani from NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and an inspector from
NYC HPD. Courtesy of Senator Toby Ann Stavisky’s offi ce
safe and in compliance with
the law,” Koo said.
New York City Health Code
requires owners of buildings
of three or more apartments
to provide and properly install
approved window guards on
all windows in an apartment
where a child (or children)
under 11 years of age reside.
In many apartments, the
residents lack window guards
which could prevent children
from falling.
“With three window falls
in such a short time and in
close proximity, we want to
make sure everyone in our
community is aware of the
rules and regulations around
window guards, and that all
homes with young children
are appropriately outfitted
with this important life-saving
equipment,” Koo said.
Louise Carroll,
commissioner of the city’s
Department of Housing
Preservation and Development
(NYC HPD), said both
tenants and landlords have
a responsibility to ensure
window safety guards are
properly installed as is
required by law.
“It’s very important
that we all do our part to
protect the health and safety
of young children during
warm summer months,”
Carroll said. “We must
work together to avoid
preventable tragedies.”
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by email at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
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