Window Safety Bars….Are They Safe?

​Keeping a home safe from intruders is of great importance to many homeowners.  One way to prevent intruders is with window bars, or safety bars.  These metal bars are attached to the outside of the window, usually the basement and ground floor windows and are designed to prevent anyone from entering through the windows.
 
This can offer a sense of security for the homeowner as it is an effective way of stopping a burglar from entering through the window, however, there are some safety concerns to think about when it comes to this type of security device.  A major problem arises if the resident needs to exit the home in an emergency such as a fire.  Not only would they stop someone from getting out of much needed exits, but they could also block vital points of entry for firefighters.
 
If you feel like you really need window bars in your neighborhood, what are some ways you can do it and ensure they are not a fire hazard?  Make sure they are fitted with a quick release device.  This type of mechanism would allow the occupant to easily release the bars from the inside of the home.  It should not require any kind of special tool to release them and needs to be easy for a child or elderly person to use.  This is because a person can become disoriented and panicked in an emergency situation, and precious time would be lost trying to open a difficult mechanism.
 
As we can see, then, window bars can provide a good level of security for the lower floors of the home, but they can easily become a fire hazard if they are not equipped with a quick release mechanism that is easy to use.

---