National Window Safety Week

Window falls a common but preventable childhood hazard: Each year more than 5,200 children suffer falls from windows and at least one in four is injured badly enough to be hospitalized. So it's no accident that National Window Safety Week occurs in early Spring when the weather is mild enough to open the windows again. Safety experts take advantage of this week to remind parents and caregivers about the dangers of window falls. And there's evidence in at least one state that it's working. The Oregon Trauma Registry reports it is seeing a decrease in the number of falls.

Younger children are more likely to fall from windows, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. The average age of children treated for injuries suffered in window falls in U.S. hospital emergency departments was five, while children four years old and younger were more likely to sustain head injuries, to be hospitalized, or die. Boys are slightly more likely to fall than girls. When it comes to keeping your kids safe, there is no substitute for adult supervision. Safety experts recommend the follow precautions for parents, grandparents and other caregivers.

• Keep cribs and other furniture away from windows to eliminate the possibility of a child reaching a window by climbing.
• Install safety devices such as window guards or window stops on all second-story windows or higher. Since about one-third of falls occur from first floor windows, consider installing them on those windows, too. (Window stops should prevent the window from opening more than four inches, while allowing an adult to open it fully in case of a fire or other emergency.)
• Remember that screens do not prevent a child from falling out of a window.
• Open windows from the top, whenever possible.
• Consider planting bushes or locating flower beds under windows to soften the landing surface, which may reduce the severity of injury in the event of a fall.
• Remember that fire escapes, roofs and balconies are not safe places for children to play.
• Once your children are old enough, discuss with them the dangers of climbing out of or jumping from windows.

At least one window manufacturer offers child-safety latch options for double-hung and casement windows. Overriding the device requires carrying out a two-step process that would be challenging for a small child. They may cost more but are worth considering if you have small children living in or visiting your home. If you're replacing your windows, look for those with the best safety features. To find the type of window that's best for your home, see our windows buying guide and the Ratings which tell you how they performed in our tests of wind and rain resistance, durability, convenience, and more, including six top picks in clad-wood, fiberglass, and vinyl.

National Window Safety Week seeks to prevent injuries (SALT LAKE CITY) — More than 5,000 children in the U.S. are injured in window-related accidents each year, and now during National Window Safety Week experts are sharing tips for keeping kids safe. National Window Safety Week is put on each year during the first full week of April by the National Safety Council. Kirk Thrift is the store manager at Ace Hardware, and he said parents have options when it comes to making windows more safe for children. “There’s different locking mechanisms that can easily be installed with a drill or a screwdriver for those screens, so they won’t open, and you pull out this little tiny pin allowing it to open and close, but you know spring cleaning not only cleaning the house but checking your doors and windows is a good idea each spring,” he said. The National Safety Council also offered tips regarding window safety:

• Keep windows closed and locked when children are around.
• When opening windows for ventilation, open windows that children cannot reach.
• Don’t rely on insect screens to prevent a fall, as they are designed to provide ventilation and not to prevent a child’s fall from a window.
• Keep furniture, or anything children can climb, away from windows.
• Determine your family’s emergency escape plan and practice it regularly.
• Make sure nothing is blocking or preventing a window from being opened in the case of an emergency.

As a window cleaner you should remember to return the window to the closed position. Look for hazards that a may be dangerous for a young child. Make sure children can't get access to your tools, especially those sharp blades. Keep the window safety child lock key on your person before returning it to the owner. Make sure stair gates are closed after passing through. Move furniture back to it's original position - these are usually placed so a child cannot reach a handle for opening a window. Offer some guidelines if you feel the owners child may be unsafe. If you feel the child is at danger while you're working ask the house owner to remove the child to safely be out of your way while you work.

Window Cleaning Events, Jobs & Flyers

The Master Cleaners of America conference (MWCoA) Dallas, Texas FREE Seminar: LOCATION: Plano Centre, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074. Confirm Your Attendance here with the President. The definite window cleaning event to attend.

Schedule of Events Saturday November 6th:

• 8:30 AM Meet and Greet.
• 9:00 AM Fantastic & FREE Advertising Methods - Jack Nelson - Founder and Former Director MWCoA.
• 9:30 AM The Importance of Customer Retention with Kraig Dyer, President Master Window Cleaners of America.
• 10:15 AM The Power of Pure Water Technology - Shawn Gavin, Pure Water & WFP Expert
• 11:15 AM Grow Your Business To Multi-Crews with Mike Draper, J. Racenstein Rep.
• Noon Lunch Break Lunch break at Best Western Park Suites * FREE to all attendees *
• 12:45 PM WFP Demomstration at Best Western Hotel with Mike Draper - JRC and Shawn Gavin - Reach Higher Ground.
• 2:00 PM Round Table Discussion on Fabricating Debris Issues.
• 3:30 PM Increase Your Income With Add-Ons with Kris Weigal, NanoPhase Technologies.
• 4:00 PM Jeff Flint, Envicoat 25 minutes
• 4:30 PM Q & A Session Followed by Door Prizes Given Away *Must be present to win*

September 29th and 30th 2010, Charlotte, South Carolina.. Please join Window Cleaning Resource teaming up with the National Cleaning Expo', piggy backing on the CETA show, September 29th and 30th in Charlotte, SC. This will be our last event for this year and we have ALOT of amazing and exciting things planned. With hundreds of attendees already confirmed and over 65 vendors, it is a must, even for the networking alone! Please stop by the Window Cleaning Resource booth and visit us!
Hands On Tools! Everybody would love to get their hands on each piece of equipment they buy, but sometimes it's not always that easy. Now it is! We will have Pure Water Carts by IPC Eagle and Waterfed Poles by Facelift, Gardiner and SimPole. We will also have great deals on waterfed pole equipment and pure water carts. There will also be LIVE hands on demos so you can actually get these things in your hands and see what works best for you.
Great Deals! There will also be scratch glass removal demos courtesy of GlassRenu in the Window Cleaning Resource booth. If you've been thinking about getting into scratch glass removal this is the time of year to do it. GlassRenu has hooked us up with a special offer just for National Cleaning Expo attendees. We will be selling GlassRenu machines, contractor grade, for only $995! That's $1200 off of the normal price of $2100!
Giveaways! Giveaways! Giveaways! You won't want to miss what we're giving away at this event. Look out for a SimPole Waterfed Pole Giveaway along with a hand tool starter kit giveaway. Not to mention National Cleaning Expo will be giving away an $11,000 Hot Water Pressure Washer Unit. Sign up here.


PULIRE EURASIA: Free entry - 30 of September till the 2 of October, 2010: An Innovative and Interactive Platform for the Euro Asian Cleaning Industry. Pulire Eurasia provides an innovative platform to experience new technologies and solutions at an international level in the cleaning industry. It is a strategic place for companies with consolidated operations in the Eurasia region and also for those looking to expand their commercial interests in this region. “Pulire Eurasia” places itself in the global exhibition network of the cleaning industry as a standpoint for accessing the market in South-Eastern Europe, the Gulf region, Middle East and Central Asia. Turkey is one of the main producers and exporters of technology in the cleaning sector.

Ausclean is a unique opportunity for companies in the cleaning and support services industries to market, sell and promote their products and services. If you are involved in the cleaning or building maintenance industries, don’t miss the 15th biennial Ausclean incorporating BSM Expo taking place at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney, Australia from 27-28 September 2010. Ausclean incorporating BSM Expo 2010 will provide a unique opportunity for you to interact with and sell to the whole spectrum of professionals linked to cleaning and maintenance of buildings and venues.
Ausclean, Australia’s longest running and most recognised cleaning exhibition. Held once every two years, Ausclean attracts thousands of key decision-makers from businesses, local councils, government departments, major venues and the health, hospitality and tourism industries. Many of the attendees are responsible for the maintenance and management of large-scale facilities including industrial, commercial, hospitality and retail buildings.

CLEAN 2010: 26th -28th September - Reed Exhibitions, in association with CLEAN Middle East, is pleased to invite all cleaning professionals to the sparkling new launch of the Middle East Cleaning Exhibition 2010 (CLEAN 2010). Held in Dubai, the established center for commerce in the Middle East, the three-day exhibition and conference will bring together companies with existing operations in the region with international players who are looking to reach out to new markets. The Middle East Cleaning Exhibition 2010 (CLEAN 2010) is the only regional platform dedicated to gather international players from the global cleaning and environmental hygiene industry to showcase technologies, products and processes. Held in Dubai, the established center for commerce in the Middle East, the three-day exhibition and conference will bring together companies with existing operations in the region with international players looking to reach new markets.
Formerly known as Gulf-Cleantech, CLEAN 2010 features a new look and a more comprehensive profile to firm up its market position. The event is organised in association with CLEAN Middle East magazine, the first industry magazine in the region with a readership of 15,000 professionals and buyers. The cooperation is expected to create show awareness among qualified buyers from various economic sectors such as facility management, food safety, laundry, residential and industrial, public health, municipalities and government agencies among others. CLEAN 2010 introduces new marketing facilities that are focused on innovative communication approaches to attract providers and their targeted audience. In addition to an international network that will complement efforts to make the show a success, Reed Exhibitions has pioneered a networking program that will facilitate an effective matching of business interests among participants of the show.

ProClean Ireland - 13th & 14th October - presents a unique environment in which to do business. The event is the only place where you can meet face to face with other cleaning industry professionals, all looking to source the latest products, services and innovations within the Cleaning Industry. Organised by Opus Business Media Ltd, who have over 45 years of experience within the Cleaning Industry, ProClean Ireland will see the introduction of new and exciting feature areas and an educational content to ensure the event meets the needs of a rapidly evolving industry. Exhibitors will include Manufacturers, Distributors and Support Service Organisations. The two day exhibition is an ideal opportunity to reach key buyers, specifiers and decision makers within the industry.
ProClean Ireland will deliver the audience you want to see.

Prevent Accidents – Get Proper Safety Training - IWCA Hands-On Safety Training. Chicago – October 8. Register now here. OSHA research concluded that 100% of window cleaning accidents might be eliminated with proper attention to the application of equipment, and the proper training of window cleaning professionals. Learning proper window cleaning safety techniques is important for everyone, NOT just for those who utilize Rope Descent Systems or Suspended Scaffolds. If you specialize in residential or commercial/ground window cleaning, it is essential that you have proper safety training. Did you know that the majority of window cleaning accidents occur while using ladders? Are you utilizing water-fed poles in your business? Do you know the best practices and safe techniques to ensure you are using them effectively? Learn how to keep your employees safe and in turn keep your productivity up and your costs down. Also, learn more about the International Window Cleaning Association and how it can help you in your day-to-day business.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:

• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast and Introductions
• 8-10 a.m. Plan Ahead for Safety
• 10 a.m. -Noon Working Safely around High Rise with Rope Descending Systems (RDS)
• 12-12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 1- 4 p.m. Working Safety Around Route/Residential
• Hands-on demonstrations: Self-rescue - Ladder Safety - Aerial Lift Safety
• 4:00 p.m. Glass Fabrication Awareness

FEES
IWCA Member Registration Fees $129.00
Non-Member Registration Fees $189.00
10 or more Additional Registrations $119.00

ISSA/INTERCLEAN 9 - 12th November 2010 - Orlando, Florida - is the number one trade fair formula in the professional cleaning industry, jointly organised by Amsterdam RAI and its alliance partner ISSA, the leading cleaning industry association worldwide. No other trade shows bring such a wide range of resources related to the cleaning industry together under one roof. Whether you're looking to find suppliers or distributors, expand your company's global presence, solidify customer relationships, stay ahead of industry trends, or network with your peers, ISSA/INTERCLEAN trade shows provide these opportunities—and much more, in venues around the globe! This site offers you access to dedicated sites on our ISSA/INTERCLEAN events worldwide. In the menu on the left you can select the exhibition of your choice for detailed information.

Memorial Service for Don Chute:
When - Friday, October 1, 2010 - 2:00pm
Where - Georgia Governor's Mansion, 391 West Paces Ferry Road, Northwest Atlanta, Georgia. Tel: 404-261-1776
Dress: Nice Casual (No neckties) Party into Paradise.
Don's wake following the memorial service is at the Woodbine Station Clubhouse, Corner of Sandy Plains Rd. & Pebble Hill Dr. Marietta, GA 30062
Designated Driver shuttles to/from hotels.

JOBS:

Racenstein are opening a job position in Secaucus, NJ this month. This would be an "in office" job helping out with the inbound phones as well as picking up the phone calling window cleaning companies trying to develop their personal "book" of accounts. If you know somebody in North Jersey that enjoys sales (and is someone that has that personality where you might like to buy from them) send them Steves way for an interview. 8 to 4:30, 9 to 5:30 or 10 to 6:30. Likely to be 3 weeks in the office and 1 week out visiting window cleaners. Contact: Steve Blyth on helpdesk@jracenstein.com

Vikan are market leaders in the manufacturing of high quality, food grade cleaning equipment and microfibre systems into the UK market. We are seeking a highly motivated sales professional, located within easy access of the M25. Previous field sales experience is essential and knowledge of the food and healthcare industries would be a distinct advantage. More importantly, you must be able to demonstrate a proven record of success, be a proactive self starter, with a high customer service ethic. A key focus of the role will be the development of our existing distributor network along with identifying new business opportunities. A consultative and conceptual selling approach will aid your success which will be driven through your strong relationships with customers as you add real value to their business. In return we offer an excellent package to include a competitive salary, plus target based bonus scheme, company car and all the benefits associated with a successful market leader. Please send your application along with an up to date CV to: mbennett@vikan.co.uk


Paul McQuillan gives away another flyer created for window cleaning. This flyer is totally editable and comes in a Word document as well as PSD for those of you using Photoshop. Click the picture above to take you there. Sign up for free, for all Pauls templates.