Flushing lawmakers promote window safety after child falls from sixth floor

State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Councilmember Peter Koo discuss window safety on Friday. Photo courtesy of Toby Ann Stavisky’s Office.

By Victoria Merlino

Queens State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Councilmember Peter Koo highlighted the importance of implementing window safety measures at an event on Friday after multiple reports of children falling out of them. 

A 3-year-old boy fell out of a sixth-floor window in June, sustaining serious injuries. Another child in Glendale fell out of a second-floor window in April last year, suffering minor injuries. 

“All too frequently we hear tragic stories of accidents that could have been prevented,” Stavisky said in a statement. “We need to protect children especially at home by ensuring tenants and landlords understand their responsibility when it comes to window guards. Home should be the safest place for children.”

Many New Yorkers are unaware that they are eligible to receive window guards from their building, Stavisky continued. The New York City Health Code requires that owners of buildings with three or more apartments must provide window guards to tenants living with a child under the age of 11. 

“Both tenants and landlords have a responsibility to ensure window guards are properly installed as is required by law. We must work together to avoid preventable tragedies,” New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Louise Carroll said in a statement.

Both Koo and Stavisky’s offices will canvas the Flushing community to make sure residents understand their rights.