Window Guards - Window Cleaning Add-On?

Marlborough company creates window guard for child safety: Marlborough — Each year in the United States, 15-20 children under the age of 11 die from window falls and nearly 4,700 sustain injuries due to unguarded windows, according to Children’s Hospital Boston. These statistics troubled Remi Doiron, the owner of Integrated Dynamic Metals Corp. (IDM) in Marlborough. The Northborough resident was getting tired of reading story after story about young children being injured or killed from window falls. He read about a 3-year-old from Ipswich falling out of a second-story window, a 10-year-old from Boston plunging 18 feet and a 2-year-old from Springfield who climbed on the back of a sofa and fell out of a window to his death.

Doiron decided to take action. After conducting research and meeting with child safety product groups, he founded a company called Looking Glass Window Guards in January. The company moniker is also the name of its product. "Kids shouldn’t have to pay for mistakes that could easily be preventable," says Doiron. "All it takes is a second for the worst to happen." Looking Glass Window Guards have four steel bars designed to prevent children from pushing through window screens. "Unlike other windows guards, Looking Glass Window Guards have a unique quick-release feature," says Doiron. "By depressing a lever on top, the guard pivots open - important for fast escape in emergencies. Most guards have to be removed completely from the window. "(This feature) is simple for adults and older children to work, but too difficult for creeping babies and toddlers to navigate. The swing pivot also allows for easy window cleaning."

Doiron adds that Looking Glass Window Guards fit all standard, double-hung casement, custom and hard-to-fit windows. The guards are available in white, black, almond and custom colors. For more information, visit www.lookingglasswindowguard.com. Doiron recently discussed the product and IDM with Daily News staff writer Bob Tremblay.

QUESTION: How did you come up with the product’s name?
ANSWER: In a review panel, we tossed around ideas. We discussed kids’ curiosity of looking out windows and wanted them to be able to view the outdoors safely. Therefore, we came up with Looking Glass Window Guards.

QUESTION: Has IDM moved?
ANSWER: We are in our third location. Originally the company was in Merrimack, N.H., with 6,000 square feet of space. We then moved to a 10,000-square-foot facility in Marlborough. In January 2007, we purchased and now occupy a 30,000-square-foot space still here in Marlborough.

QUESTION: What does IDM do?
ANSWER: IDM manufactures precision sheet metal products for a diverse clientele in the aerospace, government, medical and high-tech industries.

QUESTION: What is the cost of a Looking Glass Window Guard?
ANSWER: It is currently priced at $49.95 for a standard size - 25 inches by 36 inches. Other sizes include 14 by 25, 36 by 58 and custom (58 inches plus).

QUESTION: Any future plans?
ANSWER: We are currently developing guards for casement windows as well as guards for sliders and stairs.

QUESTION: Any news to report?
ANSWER: Look for us at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas the week of Oct. 10-13.

INTEGRATED DYNAMIC METALS CORP.
Address: 66 Brigham St., Marlborough
Owner: Remi Doiron
Founded: 2001
Employees: Approximately 10

Children’s Hospital reports that about 18 children ages 10 and under die annually from window falls. Another 4,700 children ages 14 and under will require treatment each year for window fall-related injuries. Looking Glass Window Guards can help keep your toddler safe by preventing window-related falls. Steel bars prohibit your child from pushing through window screens. Our quick-release safety feature allows for fast, easy removal in case of emergency. Looking Glass Window Guards follow all ASTM safety standards.

Features of Looking Glass Window Guards

• Unique, quick-release safety feature for fast escape in emergencies.
• Fits all double-hung casement and sliding windows, custom and hard-to-fit windows.
• Swings out for easy cleaning.
• Installation is simple and easy.
• Available in white, black, almond or custom color.
• Made in the USA.

Doiron shares the following Window Safety Prevention Tips:

• NEVER depend on screens alone to prevent falls.
• Make sure there is no furniture placed near windows that kids can climb on.
• Never leave children unsupervised.
• Open windows from the top whenever possible.
• Properly install window safety guards.

Looking Glass Window Guards Easy Installation: Click here.