Advice needed for alternates to security bars on chapter house windows

[KSUViolet06]

^^^Are you at SDSU? Just guessing when you mentioned roof tanning. That's a popular activity. lol.

It's hard to get safety things through collegians heads sometimes. I know when I was a collegian, we did some really dumb things like prop open our fire escape doors, windows, etc. Luckily we were on a secluded cul de sac knd of thing. I know the houses where are you don't have that luxury.

[navane]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

^^^Are you at SDSU? Just guessing when you mentioned roof tanning. That's a popular activity. lol.

Yep, SDSU. There's a flat roof in the back and they like to climb out on it. I don't get it....we have a back yard with a lawn! The HCB offered to buy them lawn furniture they could sunbathe on and they still climb onto the roof!

......Kelly

[DaffyKD]

Originally Posted by navane

Yep, SDSU. There's a flat roof in the back and they like to climb out on it. I don't get it....we have a back yard with a lawn! The HCB offered to buy them lawn furniture they could sunbathe on and they still climb onto the roof!

......Kelly

Talk to the House Corp for KD. Several years ago, they arranged for a fire drill with the fire department and police. Following the drill, both the police and fire explained safety which seemed to help. It probably time for them to do it again since most if not all of the girls who were collegians at the time have graduated.

Years ago when Chi O was on SDSU's campus, the Sigma Chi house was some kind of half way house while Sigma Chi was on suspension. A Chi O woke up in the middle night to a member of the half way house rubbing her back. Frightened every house enough that we all knew and understood the importance of security.

DaffyKD

[sweetmagnolia]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

Years ago when Chi O was on SDSU's campus, the Sigma Chi house was some kind of half way house while Sigma Chi was on suspension. A Chi O woke up in the middle night to a member of the half way house rubbing her back. Frightened every house enough that we all knew and understood the importance of security.

I would have a hard time falling asleep after that!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by sweetmagnolia

I would have a hard time falling asleep after that!

SLU had a homeless man follow a SK into the Greek dorm. The guy had been wandering around the Village apts earlier in the evening and chased off by DPS. People stopped bitching about having to show their IDs for the rest of the semester. Unfortunately that's about how long it lasted.

Same thing with playing hall sports and setting the sprinklers off, lessons learned and then forgotten.

[navane]

Thank you all for the great ideas, perspectives and discussion.


I've been discussing this with my firefighter colleagues and they feel that security bars with an internal release are better than windows with security film. The idea here is that it is easier for the occupants or firefighters to get out in an emergency and the firefighters to get in to rescue someone.


With bars, occupants can release the bars from the inside or firefighters can pop them from the building with quick saw cuts. Depending on the security film, it may take some doing with a saw to cut the window/glass open and the occupants can't just throw a chair at it if they have to escape.


I like the idea about possibly making the flat roof a sundeck - good suggestion! That costs big money; but, we were hoping to do a major overhaul on the house and maybe it can be budgeted in.


As for addressing the culture of apathy with the members, I suppose I could get a firefighter (not me) to do a talk who could "keep it real" for the girls. I know a couple firefighters who could get the point across, but they're older and not "hot". LOL


.....Kelly

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

^^^Are you at SDSU? Just guessing when you mentioned roof tanning. That's a popular activity. lol.

Hey, we did that in Cleveland, too! Yes, nice weather does exist there. Once in a while.

I also suggest windows that don't open all the way. There's also the option of windows that can open all the way, but that also have pieces of the frame that can be pulled out so the window doesn't open all the way. (We recently had these windows installed at my church; I can try to take a picture tomorrow to share, if I remember.) The issue with that is that not everyone will keep those safety/security 'flaps' out, which doesn't guarantee security. But along those lines, if personal items are stolen from a room in the house because a window was left open, who is held responsible? I'd hate to bring legality into it, but when the girls move into the house, they could be required to sign a waiver stating that if they do not personally take the precautions necessary to guard their belongings (such as securing windows and locking doors), the house corporation cannot be held responsible for the lost items.

If there's a home and garden show (or a home improvement show, or something of that ilk) anywhere near you soon, I'd suggest going. There are bound to be window vendors/replacers/installers there who can give you more suggestions as well as prices, and they often offer a discount if you decide to use their services as a result of their being at the show.

[VandalSquirrel]

I second what steelerbear mentioned about talking to window and security vendors, and I'd also include architects and insurance companies as they may have a suggestion that is appropriate and will give a discount on insurance. If these are double paned windows or have other features that save on heating and cooling there's perhaps another rebate and long term money saving. Just looking at the house you can't just focus on the first floor since the windows on the second floor could be accessed by a determined creeper.

The women may have to accept that to get rid of the bars they would have to have windows that don't open or only open with a small vent. Since you mentioned that they are already making choices that are unsafe (going out on the roof, blocking safety latches, leaving windows open) it may just be easier to change the windows to prevent that behavior at all since it is a problem and likely to still be one with 18-22 year olds. You mentioned there is AC, so at least the windows aren't used for cooling.

Since your windows look like sliding ones you may have to get new windows to provide security. In the mean time you could get thick wooden dowels painted glow in the dark, to a length that prevents the window from sliding more than the approved amount. The girls could remove them but at least in a fire they could see the dowel to remove it and/or use it to smash or get attention from rescuers. Switching to tilt and turn/slide, or a top opening sash is an option as in an emergency they can be easily opened from the inside for safety but keeps people out.