Can I put window gates on a fire escape window?
Legally, you must put guards on your windows in you have a child under 10 in your apartment . . . but you’re also not supposed to block a fire-escape.
The solution is window gates with a finger latch — you have to push your finger up and in to release the latch, so it takes an adult to do it, but you can work them in the dark, which is important for fire safety.
Two providers to check out: Artie’s Hardware in the Village and Manhattan Gates & Locksmiths at 2449 Broadway (in the Nineties) on the Upper West Side.
Expect to pay $300 and up for a custom-fitted gate, but the peace of mind is worth it.