New York City Marks 50 Years of Window Safety, Celebrating Hundreds of Children’s Lives Saved

New York City Marks 50 Years of Window Safety, Celebrating Hundreds of Children's Lives Saved

Pioneering 1976 City Law Requiring Window Guards in Apartments With Young Children Was the First of Its Kind in the U.S., Leading to Hundreds of Lives Saved

Last Year, There Were 4 Nonfatal Window Falls Among Children 10 Years of Age or Younger in NYC

As Weather Gets Warmer and Windows Begin to Open, New York City is Continuing to Raise Awareness About How to Protect Our Littlest New Yorkers from Falls

April 15, 2026 - Fifty years ago this month, New York City became the first U.S. city to require window guards in apartments with children under 10, a simple yet life-saving measure that has dramatically reduced child window falls. Before 1976, hundreds of children fell from windows annually, with 24 deaths reported that year alone. In less than three years of the law's implementation, falls from windows fell more than 50% across the city. In 2025, there were just four reported falls, none of them fatal.

To ensure the safety of our littlest New Yorkers, several city agencies work hard throughout the year to raise awareness among families about the importance of window guard safety, including the NYC Health Department, Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and Administration for Children's Services (ACS). Most recently, ACS launched a citywide campaign titled "Tiny Moments, Big Safety," on subways, bus shelters, and online that includes messaging on window guard safety. Today, as the weather gets warmer and apartment windows begin to open, New York City is reminding New Yorkers that window guards save lives, and to keep children safe by installing window guards in apartments where any child under 10 lives.

"Every New Yorker has the right to a safe home, but adequate maintenance is especially critical for the safety of our youngest neighbors. For 50 years, New York's window guard law has quietly saved countless lives. We all have a role to play in making sure our homes are safe," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "If you need window guards, or if something in your apartment doesn't feel safe, reach out to your landlord - or call 311."

"The Mamdani Administration understands that sensible policy and operational solutions that address everyday issues-both small and large - can have major impacts on the lives of New Yorkers," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. "The city's window guard law, implemented 50 years ago, reduced the number of fatal falls among children 10 years old or younger by 50% within three years, and last year - just a few decades later - there were zero fatal falls. Today, we reflect on this milestone as an example that large-scale change starts by believing no task is too small - and moving forward, we are committed to applying that formula universally as we strive to build a safer, more livable New York City."

"Over the last 50 years, we have seen a quiet but transformational change in New York City, thanks to the city's window guard law," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. "This is a particularly tangible example of how building safety measures can protect New Yorkers' health, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to improve housing quality and protect our neighbors."

"Hundreds of New Yorkers are alive today thanks to 50 years of requiring building owners to install window guards to keep kids safe," said NYC Health Commissioner Alister Martin. "It's easy to take something so simple for granted, but there was once a time when hundreds of children fell from New York City apartment windows each year, and TK/many, unfortunately, died. Last year, there were just four falls, and none were fatal. This is just one example of the quiet, often invisible, ways that public health keeps us safe. To parents and other caregivers across the city: As your windows rise this spring and summer, hold your landlord responsible for upholding the time-honored tradition of installing window guards in your apartment."

"Fifty years ago, a simple rule change started saving children's lives. It wasn't obvious at the time, and some even challenged making window guards a requirement, but now, hundreds of children are alive because someone fought for a change in policy. HPD continues to be proud of the pivotal role we play in keeping children safe in their homes every day," said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy.

"Window guards are an essential part of a safe home for children, and is why our ACS Office of Child Safety and Injury Prevention along with our frontline staff work year round to educate families about the importance of having them installed," said ACS Interim Commissioner Melissa Hester. "Over the past 50 years, this law, along with increased education efforts by city agencies, has helped save the lives of hundreds of children across New York City. We will continue to raise awareness about how to prevent tragedies and keep children in our city safe from preventable injuries and fatalities."

In New York City, owners of buildings with three or more residential units are required to install approved window guards or limiting devices - which prevent windows from opening more than 4.5 inches - in any apartment where a child 10 years of age or younger lives. Window guards must be properly installed in all windows that are not emergency exits. In 2025, there were four window falls, two due to improperly installed window fall prevention devices, and two because no window fall prevention devices were installed. Fortunately, none of these falls were fatal. This year, there have already been two window falls reported, neither resulting in any serious injury.

Property owners must install windows guards upon tenant request, regardless of whether there are children in the apartment. If there is at least one child aged 10 or under in the building, window guards are also required in all public area windows. These measures are essential for preventing falls and safeguarding lives. If a building owner refuses to install window guards, tenants should call 311 to file a complaint. Building owners may also call 311 to report tenants who refuse to allow guards to be installed as required by law.

The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) responds to complaints about missing or defective window guards and also proactively checks for window guards during housing maintenance code inspections. Violations are issued violations when window guards required in apartments or in common areas are improperly installed or missing. HPD's Emergency Repair Program arranges for the installation or repair of window guards when property owners fail to do so to keep children safe. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, HPD received 2,663 complaints for window guards and issued more than 7,045 violations requiring the installation or repair of window guards.

Condominium owners should check with building management to determine who needs to install and repair window fall prevention devices in their apartments. Maintaining hallway windows in condominium buildings is the management's responsibility. In co-op buildings, management needs to install and maintain all window guards and limiting devices. One- and two-family homes are not legally required to have window guards, but installation is recommended anywhere there are young children.

In windows with air conditioners, building owners should permanently install window AC units using one-way tamper-resistant screws in apartments where a child aged 10 or younger lives. Permanently and securely bolt the AC into the window frame without leaving any open space greater than 4.5 inches. Use rigid material on all sides of AC units to prevent the material from coming loose, making a fall possible. accidents.

For tenants considering installation of their own air conditioning units, it's important to exercise caution. Carefully review instructions, use proper hardware, and follow regulations. Contacting the landlord for professional installation is encouraged to ensure safety and compliance.

Each January, property owners are required to provide a notice to tenants about their right to have window guards installed. Tenants have a responsibility to return the notice indicating whether a child 10 years of age or younger routinely spends 10 or more hours a week in the unit. Once the building owner is informed, the tenant should:

• Allow the building owner or representative access to the apartment to install window guards or stopping devices that keep windows from opening more than 4.5 inches.
• Never alter or remove window guards or limiting devices once they are installed.
• Never leave a child alone in a room where there are open windows until window guards or limiting devices are properly installed.

Find out more about window guards on the NYC Health Department Window Guards webpage.

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