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You can get information and a brochure about window guard requirements and window fall prevention. Buildings that have three or more apartments must provide and properly install approved window guards on all windows in apartments with children under 10 years of age. Windows leading onto fire escapes do not require guards.

The window guard requirement includes:

  • Windows on the 1st floor
  • Bathroom windows
  • Windows leading onto a balcony or terrace in an apartment

All common area hallway windows in buildings where children under 11 years of age reside

Apartments on the 1st floor, where there are fire escapes on the upper floors, can have one window that remains unguarded.

Window guard requirements apply to rental buildings, condominiums, and co-operative (co-op) apartments.

Call 311 for assistance.

Status

If you requested a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene publication over 2 weeks ago and have not received it, you can check the status. If you ordered it more recently, allow time for delivery and call back after 2 weeks if you still haven't received it.

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If your order has been placed, it likely already shipped. You can return unwanted copies at no cost to you by writing "Return to Sender" on the package and putting it in the mail.

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  • To update address, email, and organizational information you can email your requests to dohmhliterature@health.nyc.gov.

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If the publication you are looking for is currently out of stock, you can get assistance by phone.

Call 311 for assistance.

Window guard requirements apply to condominiums.  In condominiums, windows are considered to be common space shared with all owners and all owners are responsible for compliance with the law through the corporation.

Some condos stipulate in their by-laws who is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the window guards. Such by-laws are an individual agreement between the corporation and the owner. Violations of the Health Code regarding window guard installations are cited against the corporation.

Window guard requirements apply to cooperative (co-op) apartments. The co-op corporation and its shareholders own the building and the corporation is responsible for the installation of window guards. Violations of the Health Code regarding window guard installations are cited against the corporation.

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