The NYCHA Journal

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Child Safety Awareness Month
Health & Safety Top Story 

It’s Child Safety Awareness Month

Michael

Child Safety Awareness Month is an opportunity for children, parents, and caregivers to learn about potential hazards and how to stay safe, especially at home or out in public. In that spirit, NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to provide some general safety tips as well as guidelines for proper air conditioner installation.

Child Safety Tips

  • Make sure your children know their name, address, and how to avoid dangerous situations (including by not talking to strangers)
  • Teach children to observe their surroundings and identify potential dangers, like strangers and unsafe areas or objects
  • Children should know whom to go to for help in case of an emergency
  • Keep cleaning products and medications out of the reach of children
  • Parents and caregivers should always supervise children, especially when they are near water, in cars, in public areas, or in close proximity to sharp kitchen utensils or cleaning products
  • Encourage children to talk about their fears and to report any unsafe situation to a trusted adult
Cabinet safety latch
  • Water Safety: Most people are aware of the dangers of leaving children unsupervised by pools or beaches, but most drownings or near-drownings occur when children are left alone in the bathtub (the younger the child, the greater the risk).
  • Childproofing: Childproofing means more than just putting latches on your cabinet doors or corner guards around sharp edges:
    • TV and furniture tip-overs – use brackets, braces, or mounts on wall straps to secure TVs and top-heavy furniture (these can prevent the weight of furniture from shifting and possibly tipping over).
    • Button batteries – key fobs, TV remotes, watches, and flameless candles are a few items that are powered by button batteries.  If you believe your child has swallowed a battery button, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital to have your child treated by a medical professional.
    • Toys – make sure your child only plays with toys that fit his or her age and developmental skills.
    • Poison – keep your cleaning supplies and other household products in a locked or latched cabinet. Store laundry detergent pods in their original, closed container out of sight and reach of children.
    • Burns and scalds – keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges, and restrict access to the stove/oven and microwave. Never hold a child when cooking at the stove. Store matches and lighters out of reach of children.
  • Medicine Safety: Store medicine up and away from small children. Speak with older children about the dangers of using medications in unintended ways.

Proper Air Conditioner Installation

NYCHA residents are responsible for the cost and proper installation and operation of appliances like window air conditioner (AC) units. NYCHA reserves the right to inspect such appliances upon installation and removal, as well as while the appliances are maintained in the apartment.   

If NYCHA determines that an appliance is installed or operated in a manner that is dangerous or may cause immediate harm to a person or property (e.g., an air conditioner is unstable and may fall out the window or wall sleeve), NYCHA reserves the right to immediately enter the apartment and remove the appliance or abate the emergency, even if no prior notice was given to the resident and even if no one is present in the apartment at the time of entry.

To ensure that air conditioners are installed properly:

  • Turn off the power supply to the installation area
  • Wear protective gear such as gloves and safety goggles
  • Handle the AC unit with caution to avoid damage or injury
  • Keep the installation area clean to prevent tripping hazards
  • Position the air conditioner properly to allow rainwater to flow off the unit and so that it is not leaning at an angle greater than 0.5 inches
  • Make sure the window and window frame are in good condition so they can securely hold the unit
  • Do not place window units near water
  • Do not use an extension cord for a window unit (ensure that it has its own dedicated outlet)
  • There shouldn’t be any open spaces greater than 4.5 inches between the air conditioner and the window frame
  • Ensure that there is a supporting bracket on the exterior which fastens the air conditioner to the window frame
  • Ensure that the air conditioner or any of its supporting elements are not loose
  • Install the AC in a window which cannot be opened
AC installation guidelines

If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov. Residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.

For additional information about child safety and proper AC installation, please visit: