It’s National Window Safety Week

April 13, 2026 Michael

National Window Safety Week, which is observed every April, coincides with the arrival of spring, when people often want to open their windows and let in fresh air. Since children falling from windows is a real concern, NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety team would like to convey some information about window guards and air conditioner units that can help keep you and your family safe this spring and beyond.

To ensure safety around windows, you should:

Make sure window guards and air conditioners are secure and permanently installed
Prevent windows from opening more than 4½ inches in any direction (use a measuring tool to check)
Supervise children to keep child’s play away from windows
Keep windows closed and locked, when possible
Contact Property Management before installing air conditioners
Allow NYCHA staff to check window guards as part of NYCHA’s 5 ALIVE Safety Check (which is conducted whenever NYCHA performs inspections, maintenance, or repairs in your apartment)

DO NOT:

Place furniture, including beds, near windows (as this could enable children to access an open window)
Rely on insect screens to prevent a window fall (window screens are designed to keep bugs out, not keep children in)
Remove window guards to install air conditioners without permission from NYCHA
Open unguarded windows that children can access

If any of your windows need window guards, please immediately contact Property Management or the Customer Contact Center (718-707 -7771) so that we can install them.

Air conditioners must be installed on a slight angle to allow condensation and water to drain outside and AWAY from the unit
Bad foam or rubber insulation can allow rainwater or moisture to enter, build up, and damage walls and floors inside your apartment, other apartments, or other areas of the building

If you have a question about this or any other environmental health and safety matter, email us at ehs@nycha.nyc.gov.

Want to report potential violations of laws, rules, or regulations; improper maintenance work intended to hide actual building conditions; poor-quality maintenance work in an apartment or building; unsafe or uncorrected conditions (including lead, mold, pests, heating, elevators, building cleanliness, and fire safety); polices or procedures not followed; or unsafe conditions for NYCHA staff? You can do so anonymously at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.