How to Secure a Window With an Air Conditioner Installed By Using a Security Bar

Gearing Up For A Secure Summer

After reading this guide, you will be aware of a variety of options for adding security to a window with an air conditioner in it, and be able to choose the best options for your specific needs.

Know what you’re looking for, and keen to jump the line? Check out our Sliding Door Security Bars and Window Security Bars below.

Patio Door Security Bar

Medium Window Security Bar

Small Window Security Bar

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With summer arriving, you’re probably gearing up for the hot weather, and this means installing your AC window units and portable AC units. While these things are great for keeping you physically comfortable, we know they can sometimes leave you feeling emotionally uncomfortable.

Why?

Because according to Safe At Last, burglars commonly choose houses with window air conditioning units.

Window air conditoning units provide one of the easiest entry points to a home

With that air conditioner sticking out of your window, there’s nothing keeping the window locked! Not a big deal on the third floor of an apartment building, but what about those of us who live on the ground floor? Or even on the second floor with an easily accessible balcony? Suddenly the built-in locks on our windows are useless, and anybody walking by can just slide them open and walk right in.

The good news is you don’t have to compromise safety for comfort. There are some great options for adding extra security to a window with an air conditioner in it.

When doing market research for our new window security bars, we developed a lot knowledge about the best ways to secure a window with an air conditioner installed, whether it be a vertical window air conditioner or an air conditioner in a sliding window. If you’re struggling with the same questions, we’ve got some answers for you below.

Note: Yes, we make a window security bar. And yes, we think it’s the best option on this list. But we try to offer impartial advice. None of these are affiliate links, and we don’t make any money from this content

Quick Run-Down of the Options

1. Any ol’ piece of wood
2. Sliding window locks
3. Ideal Security’s Adjustable Window Bars
4. Window alarms

Tried and True: Any Ol’ Piece of Wood

We’ve all seen it, and that’s because it works. Just grab an old hockey stick, broken broom, or whatever else you’ve got lying around. Cut it down to fit your window and lay it in the track if your window slides horizontally or jam it into place in a vertical hung window. Remember, if you’re measuring for a vertical window, you’re going to want a nice tight fit to keep it from falling over.

Just watch out. If you get the measurements wrong and it’s too short, it may not be secure at all. Remember, measure twice, cut once.

Pros

• Cheap
• Nothing to buy (if you already have equipment and materials lying around)

Cons

• Ugly
• Requires tools and comfort using them
• Time and energy
• Room for error

Sliding Window Locks

These things are pretty cool. They’re little locks that you fix onto the sliding track of the window to block it from opening.

They’re super easy to install, usually don’t require any tools, and are pretty affordable. There are also so many different styles, designs, and vendors, which could make it difficult to identify one that will work on your window or find reliable quality. They work by holding onto the track with pressure, so quality here is going to be super important. We didn’t test any, and have no idea how we’d choose.

Also – and this is a big problem for anyone worried about safety – they’re basically impossibleto remove in an emergency. There are egress regulations about this sort of thing, and it was a huge consideration for us when we were designing our own security bars. If you’ve got kids or a disabled family member, or you’re just thinking ahead to a situation where you might need to quickly get out of your house, these locks may be problematic.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Effective (depending on quality)
• Easy to install

Cons

• Difficult to remove in an emergency
• Too many potential vendors and styles

Wedge Locks for Sliding Windows

These function similarly to the sliding window locks we discussed above, but with some notable differences. Instead of being screwed onto the track, you just jamb these into place against the profile (easier to understand from the picture than to explain).

That makes them easy to remove for emergency exit, but sacrifices both security and convenience. All a potential burglar has to do is jiggle the window enough to reduce the pressure, and the top-heavy wedge might fall out of place. And every time you adjust the window, you need to reseat the wedge to ensure it’s still solidly in place.

Pros

• No installation necessary
• Removable for emergency exit

Cons

• Rely on pressure for security
• Could fall out of place
• Don’t remain in position when the window is adjusted

Ideal Security’s Adjustable Window Security Bars

We’ve made our 110 Security Bar for Sliding Patio Doors for years, and it’s one of our best-selling products. People love that it’s easy to adjust so you can size it for your door with no cutting and it lets you lock your door in an open position to let air in but keep intruders out. They also love the pivoting bracket to lift it out of the way when you want to open your door completely.

Last year, Diane (one of our team members who handles customer support in addition to her roles as ERP Champion and Product Coordinator) noticed a new trend: Customers had started asking about shorter bars to accommodate windows and pet door inserts.

Well, we listen to our customers, especially when they’re telling us what they need. A few years ago we added a unique child- and burglar-proof Anti-Lift Lock to our 110 bar, which was a big success.

So after a ton of market research and some design tweaks from our engineer Dex, we introduced the 111 and 112 bars. These are shorter versions of the 110, designed specifically for sliding windows and narrower sliding doors.

Features from the 110 Bar

• They adjust super easily by just pressing on the release button, letting you open and close a window at will.
• They auto-lock when you let go of the button, letting you lock a window in any position – closed, slightly open for ventilation, or with an air conditioner installed!
• They include the anti-lift lock.

Differences – Features Designed Specifically for Windows and Narrower Doors

We changed two things about the 110 bar:

1. Instead of the the pivot bracket, they have saddle brackets at both ends. Why? This makes them compliant with egress regulations. The bar can be removed quickly and easily in an emergency, allowing the window to open to its full size.
2. Includes super-strong adhesive tape in addition to screws for installation. Why? This makes them compatible with a wider range of tracks and profiles (see below). They’re also even easier for you to install, and you can remove them without leaving holes behind.

One thing to note, though: Due to the many different styles of window tracks and profiles out there, there are some that aren’t compatible with our saddle brackets. Most notably aluminum windows with multi-grooved tracks.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Adjustable to fit any size window
• Easy to remove in an emergency (complies with egress regulations)
• Useful even when the air conditioner is gone

Cons

• May not work on all windows. Depends on profile and track type.
• Doesn’t feature the same pivot hinge as the bigger security bar for sliding doors

Window Alarms

Even a locked window can be broken… After all, it’s just a glass pane. And once broken, any bars or locks you have in place can be unlocked, giving a potential burglar free access.

Locks and security bars work because most burglars commit crimes of convenience. They find an open window (or a window that can be opened easily), climb in quietly, take what they can quickly, and get out.

An easy and cost-effective way to level up your family’s safety is to add an inexpensive window alarm. Here’s a few stats for you:

• About 60% of convicted burglars said that a security system influenced their decision to target another home (source).
• A whopping 74% of all unsuccessful burglary attempts failed because of an alarm that emits a loud sound (source).

You can easily add a basic, no-frills alarm to any window or door. For example our SK604 and SK605 contact sensors are great, low-cost units that are super easy to install and emit a loud alarm if your window is opened unexpectedly.

Pros

• 74% of all unsuccessful burglary attempts failed because of an alarm
• Easy to install
• Adds a second layer of security

Cons

• Doesn’t prevent intrusions, but will scare off a burglar

Conclusion

Just because you’re installing an air conditioner for the summer doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your home security or your family’s safety. Be a hero! Use one or more of these add-on security products, and sleep comfortably in a cool and secure home.

What Are Garage Door Rollers?

After years of use, your garage door may begin to click, rattle, and shake loudly each time you open and close it. Luckily, your solution comes in the form of a quick and convenient fix that doesn’t require replacing your garage door. The key component to eliminating a noisy garage door and making each open and close smoothly and silently comes in the form of a high-quality garage door roller. 

Garage Door Rollers: The Silent Solution to Noisy Garage Doors

Located near the hinges of your garage door and placed along steel tracks, rollers help bear the weight of your garage door and work to seamlessly open and close your garage door. As implied in the name, they roll along the track and provide stable, secure locomotion to your garage door.  

Like most hardware that is under near-constant strain, rollers will degrade over time and will be in need of replacement. Rollers can fail in multiple ways – particularly brittle and weak rollers, for example, could altogether snap at the stem. However, with a high-quality roller, the most common form of failure is simply the natural wearing down of the wheel (generally made from steel or nylon) as a result of running along a hard, steel track. This is primarily what results in the aforementioned clicking, rattling, and shaking of your garage door.  

Are Garage Door Rollers Universal?

While all garage door rollers achieve the same function, they can vastly differ in quality and capability. The three main variables that affect the quality and durability of garage door rollers are: 

• An inner steel wheel (or lack thereof) 
• Number of ball bearings 
• Material of the outer wheel 
• Thickness of the outer wheel 

These factors affect the weight each roller can support, as well as the lifespan of your rollers.  

Take the number of ball bearings, for instance. Each ball bearing not only supports the rolling motion of the roller, but also helps distribute the weight of the garage door across the entirety of the roller rather than on a single, fixed point.  

Initially, the majority of residential garage door rollers came with 7 ball bearings, while Ideal Security has always offered rollers with 10 high-quality ball bearings. Eventually, the industry standard caught up, with garage door rollers now falling between ranges of 7 to 13 ball bearings.  

When selecting garage door rollers, keep these factors in mind in order to make an informed decision and pick the right rollers for your garage door.  

As a result of these variables, you can find three common types of rollers – Nylon Rollers, Steel Rollers, and Premium Nylon Rollers. Read on to learn more about the specifics of each type of roller! 

Nylon Rollers 

These rollers are made entirely of nylon (apart from the steel stem) and contain neither ball bearings nor an inner steel wheel. While this makes them the most inexpensive and easily accessible option, nylon rollers are also the most susceptible to wear-and-tear damage and feature a reduced lifespan.   

Ideal Security offers 2-Packs of 2” Nylon Garage Rollers. Note that 2” rollers will fit most residential garage door tracks. 

Steel Rollers 

Reliable, durable, and featuring a longer lifespan, steel rollers contain an inner steel wheel, an outer steel wheel, and steel ball bearings. As mentioned, the ball bearings help distribute garage door weight and increase the lifespan of the roller, and the inner steel wheel achieves a similar function and results in a smoother roll. Steel rollers last significantly longer than nylon rollers. However, because the steel wheel runs directly along a steel track, they are prone to make more noise than nylon and premium nylon garage door rollers. 

Made with commercial grade steel and featuring 10 steel ball bearings, our Steel Garage Door Rollers come in 2”, which will fit most residential garage door tracks, or 3” for garage doors that have 3″ tracks. Ideal Security offers 2” garage door rollers in 2-Packs or 10-Packs, and 3” rollers in 10-Packs.  

Premium Nylon Rollers 

Featuring the best of both worlds, our premium nylon rollers have both the smooth, sleek nylon coating of our regular nylon rollers, the load-bearing inner and outer steel wheels, and steel ball bearings of our heftier steel rollers. While our premium nylon rollers have a slightly lesser lifespan compared to our steel rollers, they offer silent operation of your garage door all throughout.  

Containing the same commercial grade steel as our steel rollers and a premium white nylon jacket on the outer wheel, Ideal Security’s Premium 2” Nylon rollers for garage doors come in 2-Packs and 10-Packs. 

How Long Do Garage Door Rollers Last?

Regardless of their make, all Ideal Security steel rollers are manufactured to run for 10,000 to 15,000 cycles, and have a 75lb duty rating. This traces back to our roots with garage door hardware, having always supplied commercial grade springs, rollers, hinges, and more to our residential customers.  

If you’re in need of a greater tier of rollers due to a heavier garage door, your safest option consists of rollers with 13 ball bearings. With the addition of three ball bearings, such rollers can support an additional row of garage door paneling generally reserved for 8’ tall garage doors. With these additional bearings and heavier steel gauge construction comes an increased roller lifespan of up to 20,000 cycles and improved load bearing capabilities. However, Ideal Security currently does not offer such rollers.

When Should I Replace My Garage Door Rollers?

There are multiple signs to look out for to determine if a garage door roller needs replacing or is on the verge of breaking. When your roller begins to audibly click and make noise, that usually indicates that the wheel and ball bearings are beginning to wear down and form dents – an issue that will only worsen with time.  

You can also keep an eye out for visible signs of wear and tear on your rollers. If your garage door roller looks like it’s at an angle, that could be an indicator of the stem weakening beneath the weight of the garage door. Signs of rust also indicate a weak and brittle stem that may snap over time. Be sure to inspect your garage door to ensure that it is aligned and that it has remained on the steel tracks, as signs of roller breakage can be subtle. 

If you find yourself replacing another key component of your garage door, such as your springs, that would also be an ideal opportunity to replace your garage door rollers. These components work in tandem to provide both smooth and safe operating conditions for your garage door, and a weak link can not only impact your garage door, but also the lifespan and durability of the other components.  

Where Can I Buy Garage Door Rollers?

Ideal Security’s garage door rollers are available on our website. We offer Nylon rollers, Steel rollers, and Premium Nylon rollers, all which suit standard 7’ tall residential garage doors. Our rollers, as well as other Ideal Security products, are also available on Amazon. We also offer high-quality garage door hardware such as hinges, brackets, springs, and more. Be sure to check out our full catalog to find the perfect hardware to revamp your garage door.

Ideal Security Invites You to Discover the Ladder-Aide PRO at NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo 2023

(Montreal, Quebec) – May 8, 2023 – Ideal Security, a leading home hardware supplier for over 65 years, will highlight its innovative safety solution for using ladders on stairs, the Ladder-Aide PRO, at the 2023 NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo in Indianapolis. 

The event takes place from May 18th – May 19th, and product experts Liohn Sherer and Lisa Griffiths from Ideal Security will be on site at Booth 112 during Expo hours to present the Ladder-Aide PRO. 

The Ladder-Aide PRO is a portable ladder leveler designed to allow people to safely use extension ladders on stairs. With an all-steel construction, tested for up to 1500 lbs, the Ladder-Aide PRO supports Type III to Type IAA ladders and is equipped with an anti-skid base. It’s micro-adjustable to 1/8″ for use on almost any stairs, and it requires no installation into one’s stairs, taking less than a minute to assemble. 

“We are excited to showcase our latest safety innovation, the Ladder-Aide PRO, at the NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo. Our product is particularly well-suited for businesses that require employees to work on stairs, such as electrical businesses, HVAC, and building maintenance. With its portable and compact design, high-grade steel construction, and anti-skid surface, the Ladder-Aide PRO is a practical solution that can significantly enhance the safety and productivity of these workplaces. We look forward to demonstrating how it can make a difference for attendees at the event”

Liohn Sherer, President at Ideal Security

To learn more about the Ladder-Aide PRO, attendees can visit Booth 112 at the NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo or contact Liohn Sherer at liohn@idealinc.com or Lisa Griffiths at lisa@idealinc.com. 

For more information, please contact: 

Liohn Sherer, President: liohn@idealinc.com  

Lisa Griffiths, Marketing Director:  lisa@idealinc.com  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

About Ideal Security

Ideal Security is a leading hardware developer that offers a wide range of high-quality products for home and professional use. Our company has its roots in storm door manufacturing and has since expanded to include three distinct brands: Ideal Security, Ideal BNZ, and Ideal PRO. 

Based in Montreal, Quebec, and with a warehouse in Prescott, Ontario, our team of 15 dedicated professionals works tirelessly to maintain our reputation for excellence in customer service, trust, and collaboration. We are the makers of the award-winning Ladder-Aide Pro, which won multiple awards, including the NHRA Retailers’ Choice Award and the UIA Best Marketing Award. 

With our 45,000 square foot distribution center in Prescott, Ontario, we serve the entire North American market, shipping to the US daily. Ideal Security is committed to actively developing new opportunities while keeping the purpose, values, and core competencies that have sustained us for over 60 years. 

Ladder-Aide PRO: Customer Testimonials For Safe Stairway Use

Don’t Take Our Word For It

Whether you’re amping up your home security with our security bars, preparing for power outages with our emergency lights, or using our Ladder-Aide levelers and stabilizers to safely use ladders on stairs for your painting, light installation, HVAC installations, and more, Ideal Security has an unwavering commitment to helping you get the job done safely and reliably.  

Here are just a few testimonials our customers have to share about how they’ve been using the Ladder-Aide PRO to safely use ladders on stairs. 

Short and sweet. Still not convinced?

And we’ve more to offer than just words to show how safe the Ladder-Aide PRO is. Here are a few images taken by our customers of their own Ladder-Aide PRO setups on stairs!

Whether you’re in need of a ladder-on-leopard…

Or aren’t keen on slippin’ on stairs…

The Ladder-Aide PRO’s got you PRO…tected?
This is the high-quality writing you get with a degree in Literature, folks.

Professionals and DIYers alike have the Ladder-Aide PRO to thank for being able to safely use ladders on stairs. Don’t take the risk with paint cans and planks. Get your Ladder-Aide PRO today, and have a safer tomorrow.

Le Secret du Nettoyage de Printemps : les Barres de Sécurité

Le printemps arrive à grands pas, ce qui signifie qu’il est temps de tirer les rideaux, d’ouvrir les fenêtres et les portes patios ou les portes vitrées coulissantes, et de laisser entrer le soleil chaud et la brise légère pour chasser la déprime de l’hiver. Mais aussi tentant que cela puisse être d’ouvrir chaque fenêtre et chaque porte pour cette saison de nettoyage de printemps, ces quelques points pourraient vous faire repenser cette décision :

1.           L’initiative des enfants et des animaux domestiques d’explorer

Après un hiver passé enfermé et emmitouflé dans des vêtements épais, rien n’est mieux que de sentir le soleil sur la peau. Bien qu’il soit indispensable de promener vos animaux de compagnie ou de laisser vos enfants jouer dans le jardin, ces activités peuvent être reléguées au second plan sur votre liste de priorités pendant que vous nettoyez les gouttières, et que vous remplacez vos vestes et manteaux par des chemises et des robes et votre literie d’hiver par des draps plus légers.

Mais pour vos animaux de compagnie et vos enfants, un peu de plaisir au soleil est une priorité, et une porte patio ouverte est une invitation à sortir sans surveillance et à se mettre en danger.

2.           L’intrusion de personnes non invitées dans votre maison

Si votre attention est partagée entre la surveillance de votre famille et le désencombrement de votre maison, ou si vous avez laissé une fenêtre entrouverte pour laisser la brise tempérer les nuits étouffantes de chaleur, un intrus pourrait se charger de vous aider à vous débarrasser de certains de vos biens – pour de bon.

Vous pensez peut-être que ce dilemme a une solution binaire – soit vous laissez vos fenêtres et portes patios coulissantes ouvertes et vous prenez un risque, soit vous les gardez fermées et vous faites du nettoyage de printemps une corvée poussiéreuse et exiguë – mais si je vous proposais une troisième option qui vous donne le meilleur des deux mondes ? Un moyen d’assurer la sécurité de vos proches tout en invitant la sensation du printemps dans votre maison ?

Voici les barres de sécurité pour portes patios et fenêtres de Ideal Security

Disponibles en trois tailles différentes, nos barres de sécurité 110, 111 et 112 visent à résoudre de multiples problèmes avec une seule solution simple. Voici quelques exemples de ce que vous pouvez faire avec les barres de sécurité :

• Dissuasion des intrus : Éloigner les intrus avec une couche supplémentaire de sécurité solide ; Ces barres de sécurité se verrouillent en place et sont percées dans le cadre, contrairement aux barres montées sous pression qui peuvent être ébranlées
• Verrouillage progressif : Ouvrez vos fenêtres et portes patios aussi largement que vous le souhaitez pour laisser entrer la brise printanière, mais avec une ouverture trop étroite pour laisser sortir les enfants et les animaux domestiques ; La barre peut se verrouiller par incréments pour empêcher la porte ou la fenêtre de s’ouvrir plus largement
• Aide à l’installation à domicile : Gardez vos fenêtres et portes patios bien stables lors de l’installation de climatiseurs de fenêtre ou de portes pour animaux de compagnie
• Et bien plus encore !

Chaque barre de sécurité est équipée d’une serrure anti-soulèvement pour plus de sécurité et de protection des enfants. La barre de sécurité 110 est également équipée d’un support rotatif, qui vous permet de ranger la barre vers le haut et sur le côté lorsqu’elle n’est pas utilisée. En fonction de la taille de votre fenêtre ou de votre porte patio, vous devriez opter pour :

• Le modèle 110, d’une longueur minimale de 25,7 po et d’une extension maximale de 47,5 po
• Le modèle 111, d’une longueur minimale de 15,7 po et d’une extension maximale de 26,75 po
• Le modèle 112, notre plus petite barre de sécurité allant de 10,6 po à 16,6 po

Une fois que vous aurez choisi la bonne taille et installé la barre de sécurité, vous disposerez d’une serrure de fenêtre ou de porte vitrée coulissante efficace.

Ce printemps, il n’est pas nécessaire de faire des compromis en matière de sécurité. Profitez du confort de la sécurité grâce aux barres de sécurité pour vos fenêtres et portes patios coulissantes.

A Spring Cleaning Secret: Security Bars

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to pull back your curtains, open your windows and patio doors or sliding glass doors, and let the warm sun and gentle breeze in to wash away the winter blues. But as tempting as it may be to throw open every window and door for this season of spring cleaning, these few points might make you reconsider that decision: 

1. Children and pets taking the initiative to explore 

After a winter spent cooped up and swaddled in thick clothes, there’s no better feeling than the sun on your skin. While taking your pets out for a walk or letting your children play in the backyard is a must, that might have to take a backseat on your list of priorities while you clean out the gutters, swap out your jackets and coats for shirts and dresses, and replace your winter bedding with lighter sheets.

But to your antsy pets and kids, some fun in the sun’s up on that list, and an open patio door is an open invitation to get out there unsupervised and possibly put themselves in harm’s way. 

2. Uninvited guests intruding into your home 

If your attention is divided between keeping tabs on your family and decluttering your home, or if you’ve kept a window open a crack to let a breeze temper the stiflingly warm nights, an intruder might take it upon themselves to help you get rid of some of your belongings – for good.  

You may think this dilemma has a binary solution – either keep your windows and sliding patio doors open and take a risk, or keep them shut and make springtime cleaning a dusty, cramped chore – but what if I gave you a third option, one that gives you the best of both worlds? A way to ensure the safety and security of your loved ones while inviting the sensation of spring into your home? 

Introducing the Patio Door and Window Security Bars from Ideal Security 

Coming in three different sizes, our 110, 111, and 112 security bars aim to solve multiple problems with a single, simple solution. Here are just a few examples of what you can achieve with the security bars: 

• Intruder Deterrence: Scare off intruders with an extra layer of sturdy security; these security bars lock in place, and are drilled into the frame unlike pressure-mounted bars that can be shaken loose 
• Incremental Locking: Open your windows and patio doors as wide as you’d like to let the spring breeze in with an opening too narrow to let the kids and pets out; the bar can lock in increments to prevent the door or window from opening any wider 
• Home Installation Aid: Keep your windows and patio doors safely steady while installing in-window air conditioners or pet doors 
• And more! 

Each security bar comes with an anti-lift lock for additional security and childproofing purposes. The 110 security bar also comes with a rotating bracket, which lets you store the bar upwards and to the side when it’s not in use. Depending on the size of your window or patio door, you should go for: 

• The 110, with a minimum length of 25.75” and a maximum extension of 47.5” 
• The 111, with a minimum of 15.7” and a maximum extension of 26.75” 
• The 112, our smallest security bar ranging from 10.6” to 16.6” 

Once you’ve picked the right size and installed the security bar, you’ll have yourself an effective window lock or sliding glass door lock. 

This spring, there’s no need to compromise on security. Enjoy the comfort of safety with the security bars for your windows and sliding patio doors.  

Saisir l’Avenir : Ideal Security Nomme Liohn Sherer Président pour Diriger la Transformation et la Croissance

Depuis qu’il a rejoint Ideal Security, Liohn Sherer a fait bien plus que secouer les choses – il les a complètement reconstruites. C’est pourquoi nous sommes immensément fiers d’annoncer la promotion de Liohn Sherer au poste de président d’Ideal Security. 

Grâce à ses efforts et à son expertise, Sherer vise à transformer la 3e génération de cette entreprise familiale d’un modèle intégré verticalement à un fabricant et fournisseur axé sur les données qui sert efficacement ses clients dans un environnement omnicanal. 

Basée à Montréal, Québec, Ideal Security a une longue histoire remontant à près de 70 ans. Fondée par Jack Jospe en 1956, Ideal Security a trouvé ses racines dans la fabrication de quincaillerie de portes moustiquaires et de tempête très populaires en Amérique du Nord. Finalement, Joe Jospe a pris la relève de son père et a introduit une grande adaptabilité au sein d’Ideal Security.  Bien que la quincaillerie pour contre-portes et portes moustiquaires demeure aussi indispensable qu’elle l’était lors de la création d’Ideal Security, Joe a remarqué que l’industrie de la quincaillerie résidentielle était sur le point d’entrer dans une phase de progrès et de changement.  Dans un effort pour adopter l’innovation, Joe a introduit une variété de produits dans des catégories allant de la quincaillerie spécialisée pour fenêtres et portes coulissantes aux systèmes de sécurité résidentielle. 

 Aujourd’hui, Ideal Security continue de développer et distribuer des produits innovants tels que le Ladder-Aide PRO, tout en restant fidèle à ses origines dans la quincaillerie pour contre-portes. Avec son entrepôt situé à Prescott, Ontario, et un entrepôt de traitement des commandes à Ogdensburg, New York, Ideal Security demeure dédié à servir le marché nord-américain avec sa diversité de produits de quincaillerie résidentielle. 

Cette diversification et capacité d’adaptation face aux besoins évolutifs des clients ont été encore améliorées et étendues par Sherer, qui a rejoint Ideal Security en 2016 en tant que membre de l’équipe Marketing et Développement commercial. Concernant le passé d’Ideal Security et sa vision pour l’avenir, Sherer a déclaré : 

Ideal a une longue histoire de s’adapter au changement tout en maintenant une culture forte axée sur les individus. Je crois que cet équilibre entre flexibilité et stabilité, porté par Jack et Joe avant moi, a été la clé de notre succès. Mon objectif est de faire d’Ideal une entreprise de quincaillerie multisectorielle avec une présence solide sur les marchés de la vente au détail, des OEM et B2B. Je prévois d’y parvenir en perpétuant la tradition de modifier certains aspects de ce que nous faisons et de la manière dont nous le faisons, sans changer qui nous sommes en tant qu’entreprise ou la raison de notre présence.

Liohn Sherer

Son ascension vers le leadership ne vient qu’après des années d’acquisition d’expérience précieuse en poursuivant ses passions, ses intérêts et en développant ses compétences. 

Depuis ses débuts en tant que transitaire et auditeur de performance pour le développement durable, jusqu’à l’optimisation des systèmes internes et la création d’une stratégie de marketing et de vente pour une entreprise informatique, Sherer a travaillé dans divers départements, à la fois en dehors et au sein d’Ideal Security, pour comprendre ce qui fait la cohésion d’une entreprise. 
Concernant les réalisations de Sherer et sa promotion au poste de président, Joe Jospe déclare :

iohn a démontré les compétences techniques et de leadership nécessaires pour diriger Ideal Security face aux défis et aux opportunités dans un environnement de marché concurrentiel.

Joe Jospe

En utilisant ses expériences personnelles et professionnelles variées, Sherer s’efforce activement de créer un environnement favorisant la croissance et l’apprentissage constant dans un espace de travail ouvert et collaboratif. Grâce à ses efforts, l’équipe d’Ideal Security évolue sous la direction d’un leader qui encourage la résolution de problèmes et la surmonte des défis par le développement personnel, un sentiment d’autonomie et le travail d’équipe. 

Avec des démarches audacieuses pour guider Ideal Security vers un avenir caractérisé par des pratiques innovantes, nous accueillons chaleureusement Sherer en tant que président et sommes impatients de voir sa vision pour l’entreprise se concrétiser. 

Embracing the Future: Ideal Security Appoints Liohn Sherer as President to Lead Transformation and Growth

Ever since he joined Ideal Security, Liohn Sherer has done more than just rock the boat – he’s entirely rebuilt it. That’s why we are immensely proud to announce Liohn Sherer as the newly promoted president of Ideal Security. 

With his efforts and expertise, Sherer aims to transform the 3^rd generation of this family business from a vertically integrated model to a data driven manufacturer and supplier that efficiently serves its customers in an omnichannel environment. 

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Ideal Security has a long lineage dating back nearly 70 years. Founded by Jack Jospe in 1956, Ideal Security found its roots with manufacturing widely popular storm and screen door hardware across North America.  Eventually, Joe Jospe stepped in to fill his father’s shoes and introduced a great deal of adaptability to Ideal Security. While storm and screen door hardware remains as essential as it was during Ideal Security’s founding, Joe noticed that the home hardware industry was on the verge of entering a phase of advancement and change. In an effort to embrace innovation, Joe introduced a variety of products in categories ranging from specialty window and sliding door hardware to home security systems.  

Today, Ideal Security presses onward with developing and distributing innovative products such as the Ladder-Aide PRO while remaining true to its roots of storm door hardware. With its warehouse in Prescott, Ontario, and a fulfillment warehouse in Ogdensburg, New York, Ideal Security remains dedicated to serving the North American market with its variety of home hardware products. 

This diversification and adaptability to the changing needs of customers was further refined and expanded upon by Sherer, who joined Ideal Security in 2016 as part of its Marketing and Business Development team. Of his thoughts on Ideal Security’s past and his vision for its future, Sherer had this to say: 

Ideal has a long history of embracing change while maintaining a strong people-first culture. I believe that balance of flexibility and stability, held by Jack and Joe before me, has been the source of our success. My vision is for Ideal to be a cross-category hardware company with strong presence in retail, OEM, and B2B markets.  I aim to get there by carrying on the tradition of changing parts of what we do and how we do it without changing who we are as a company or why we’re here.

Liohn Sherer

His ascent to leadership only comes after years of gaining valuable experience by pursuing passions, interests, and expanding upon his skillsets. 

From humble beginnings as a freight forwarder and performance auditor for sustainable development, to optimizing internal systems and singlehandedly developing a marketing and sales strategy for an IT firm, Sherer has since worked across various departments both beyond and within Ideal Security to understand what makes a company come together. 
Of Sherer’s accomplishments and advancement to the position of president, Joe Jospe states:  

“Liohn has demonstrated the technical and leadership skills required to lead Ideal Security, as it faces the challenges and opportunities in a competitive market environment.” 

Joe Jospe

By using his multifaceted personal and professional experiences, Sherer actively works to foster an environment of constant growth and learning across an un-siloed workspace. Through his efforts, the Ideal Security team finds itself under leadership that encourages solving problems and overcoming challenges through personal development, a sense of agency, and teamwork. 

With bold steps being taken to usher Ideal Security into a future defined by progressive practices, we confidently welcome Sherer as president, and look forward to seeing his company-wide vision through. 

How To Safely Use a Ladder and Practice Ladder Safety Habits

The Story

I know you may not care much about ladder safety; I certainly didn’t for a long while. After all, how difficult is it to climb a ladder? One foot after the other, one rung at a time. Eventually, you’ll find yourself at the top or at the bottom, but as long as the job gets done, it doesn’t matter how you end up there. That’s the way I saw it, and that’s what past experience had taught me. 

While I saw myself confidently changing bulbs, stocking shelves, or painting walls, my family and loved ones saw a bumbling, arrogant fool tempting fate and itching to get himself hurt, or worse. 

When I fell, it wasn’t entirely because of a faulty ladder that needed replacing, or my attempts to overextend past my reach. It was because I conditioned myself to complete tasks on the ladder with efficiency and speed and chose to take shortcuts that comprised my safety. 

The pain of falling off the ladder was one thing. My back ached every time I bent down to pick up my son or to put on my shoes, but it was the feeling of my family’s disappointment in my reckless behavior that hit in a much more profound way. 

The Lesson

Luckily for you, I’m not here to preach about ladder safety practices – there are exceptionally more qualified people than myself to do that, a good deal of whom are holding seminars and providing information all throughout March, also known as National Ladder Safety Month. 

What I am here to do is to shake you of your pride and push you to chase after those initiatives. And before you begin citing the years of construction history as your alibi, where hundreds of buildings were constructed and refurbished with barely any safety framework in sight, I urge you to likewise recall the utter lack of innovative tools that we luckily find facilitating most of our jobs today. 

For those working on ladders, ladder safety and ladder usage documentation and products have become abundant. From different load-bearing types of ladders to styles varying in height, form, and function, there’s little excuse to keep using the same ladders that are worn, far too wide or slim, and a smidge too tall or short. 

Beyond matters of size, height, and weight, even problems you might not have thought needed addressing have been solved. Take the tricky task of using ladders on stairs. Sure, there’s the archaic and exceedingly risky solution of putting together impromptu scaffolding made of 2x4s and other ladders precariously stacked and slotted onto one-another. Will it get the job done? Maybe. You’ve seen others do it before. But at what cost?  

• Time. How long does it take to put together a set-up like that?  
• Adjustability. Say it’s too short, or needs to be moved. How easily can you take it all down and put it back up? How well can you add to it?  
• Safety. One can rely on a quick and messy application of the laws of physics for only so long until something gives. Whether a clumsy foot slips between a gap and sends you plummeting, or the entire scaffolding set-up shifts and falls, a good deal of risk is brought onto yourself and others with this rather harmful “solution”.   

Lo and behold, even a problem as niche as that has found its solution with the Ideal Security Ladder-Aide PRO, a stable platform and leveling device that allows you to safely use ladders on stairs. Capable of supporting extension ladders from Type III to Type I-AA, the Ladder-Aide PRO is the go-to fix to solve the matter of using ladders on stairs, and will work to put the archaic, dangerous answer of putting together faulty scaffolding to rest. Where DIY scaffolding and platforms made of paint cans fail, here is where the Ladder-Aide PRO excels: 

• Time. In under a minute, the Ladder-Aide PRO can be safely and securely assembled and ready for use.  
• Adjustability. With multiple heights to choose from, the Ladder-Aide PRO can accommodate differing step sizes easily. Once you’re done with one section of stairs, you can simply pick up the Ladder-Aide PRO and move it to your place of choosing, as it doesn’t need to be affixed to your ladder or installed into the surface it’s placed upon.   
• Safety. Between its all-steel construction, rubber soles, anti-skid surface, and locking pins in place for added stability, the Ladder-Aide PRO is tried and tested to support the appropriate type of ladder and aid in minimizing the risk of using ladders on stairs.  
• Convenience. The Ladder-Aide PRO Tool Bag makes transporting the Ladder-Aide PRO and other small tools a breeze, letting you carry the portable safety platform with ease.  

With the resources provided by National Ladder Safety Month, a wide range of ladders to choose from, and innovative tools like the Ladder-Aide PRO in tow to solve a key pain point of ladder use, you’ve little excuse to avoid brushing up on safety habits.

And if you won’t do it for yourself – do it for those who care about you instead. 

4 Tips to Prepare for a Power Outage

The first month of 2023 marks the 25-year anniversary of the disastrous January 1998 North American Ice Storm, a crisis that left over 4 million people without power, caused approximately $6 billion USD in damages, and rendered a great deal of infrastructure inoperable in its wake. 

While one might hope that these catastrophic weather events are rare, once-in-a-lifetime phenomena, reality unfortunately proves otherwise. 

Here’s just a few crises in recent history that left people stranded in the dark: 

The 1989 Quebec Blackout

A solar storm raging on the sun caused enough electrical interference to shut down Quebec’s entire power grid for 12 hours and incapacitated some of New England’s power supply to boot.

The Northeast Blackout of 2003

Parts of the Northeastern United States as well as most of Ontario faced a blackout which led to a loss of power and diminished transportation services. This widespread blackout was caused by a software bug at an electrical utility company which grew from a minor issue to a state-and-province-wide power outage.

2012’s Hurricane Sandy

A massive hurricane that travelled from the Caribbean to Canada, causing approximately $65 billion USD of damages.

The 2021 Texas Power Crisis

The result of three back-to-back winter storms in February. When an unprepared electricity infrastructure was met with high electric demands and sub-zero temperatures, outages were imposed to avoid overloading the state’s power grid.

Getting Ready for the Storm

Meteorologists might help predict when these weather events will occur, but little can be done to predict the large-scale damage to be left in their wake. That’s why it’s essential to always be well-prepared for the challenges that come with outages and crises. Take a look at your surroundings and think of your belongings and possessions. Are you prepared to quickly respond to a major power loss? 

1. Prepare a Light Source

When you find yourself flung into dire and dark circumstances, an important first step is to establish a sense of your surroundings. There’s little you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones when you’re stranded in the dark, which is why you should always have emergency lights ready.  

Emergency safety lights like the SK636V2 Rechargeable Battery Powered LED Emergency Light are the ideal alternative to other light sources such as flashlights and candles. Most flashlights vary in light strength and need constant upkeep to ensure battery and bulb lifespans, while candles pose a fire hazard, particularly during times of panic and uncertainty. Although most phones have built-in flashlights, these quickly drain essential battery life, preventing you from getting into contact with loved ones or emergency services. 

Prepare dedicated emergency lights for home power outages like the SK636V2 to ensure that you aren’t relying on uncharged appliances during a surprise blackout.

Emergency lights tend to possess essential functions to help you navigate through a power outage. As soon as a power outage is detected, the SK636V2 emergency LED light automatically turns on and illuminates your surroundings. That’s because the SK636V2 is intended to set and forget: simply adjust its settings such as light intensity to your liking and plug this rechargeable safety light into an outlet.

Most importantly, this rechargeable emergency light saves you the hassle of fumbling through drawers and cabinets in the darkness for spare batteries for your flashlight or matches for your candles. Depending on your chosen settings, our rechargeable home light can last for 21.5 hours at full power, and 48 hours at half-power. Using your lights intermittently will allow them to last significantly longer. 

Featuring a versatile and easily transportable design, you can easily navigate dark areas while carrying the SK636V2 emergency light. You can also use the keyholes at the back of each light to mount it on walls near your front door, allowing you to install your own impromptu emergency light fixture. If there are windows near your front door, the glow of this LED emergency light can also inform emergency services that there are occupants in your home who may require aid. 

2. Determine Your Situation

Now that you’ve brightened your surroundings, take a moment to determine the cause of the outage. Is there a storm raging outside that might have damaged electrical infrastructure? Have your circuit breakers tripped? If you still have an Internet connection, consult your local outage map to see if other homes in your area have reported similar outages.  

3. Temperature Control

If you’ve determined that the outage may last for some time, the next best step will be to regulate the temperature of your home and appliances. During power outages, any area of artificially generated temperature will swing the other way – cold refrigerators will get warmer, and warm rooms will get colder, especially during the winter. Luckily, there are a few options available to prevent your food and medicines from spoiling and several ways to stay warm throughout. 

To keep your perishable products in good condition, start by ensuring your refrigerator and freezer doors remain shut to maintain the internal temperature. The more items you have in your fridge freezer, the longer it will remain cold. If your outage is expected to last longer than a refrigerator might be capable of keeping its temperature, consider storing your goods in a chest freezer or mini fridge that has been pre-filled with ice.  

To keep yourself and your loved ones warm, wear multiple thick layers of clothing to insulate your body temperature and remain in a room insulated from the elements. Now would be a good time to make use of a fireplace if you have one, but be sure to have stocked up on wood beforehand and cleaned its chimney flue. You can also use a properly ventilated non-electric standby heater. 

Should you plan to use an external generator, it is essential that the generator is outside or properly ventilated. Otherwise, you run the risk of carbon monoxide seeping into your enclosed environment, which can lead to life-threatening results. 

4. Survival Kit

If an outage takes longer than expected to recover from, or should you find yourself in the need to evacuate, it would be useful to have a survival kit consisting of the essentials ready. Some key items to prepare are: 

• Water: Most people need at least 2L of water a day, so plan accordingly. 
• Food: Emergencies are when non-perishable foods become your friend. Anything From canned foods to energy bars to dried fruits and meats should be adequate, so long as you replace them once per year. 
• Can opener: This one’s a bit self-explanatory. 
• Basic sanitation products: When nature’s call consists of a storm that makes your home uninhabitable, you best be well-prepared to answer it. 
• First aid kit: Should the cause of an outage or evacuation be a storm, flood, earthquake, or otherwise hazardous situation, a first aid kit is essential to face the risks that come with exposure to such conditions. Make sure it’s well-stocked and easily transportable. 
• Contact information: In times of stress, it can be easy to forget or misplace contact information. Have a sheet of all your important contacts written down. 

While you might be tempted to add more items to this bug out bag list, a survival kit that is either too big to properly store or too bulky to transport may cause more harm than good. Consider having a car emergency kit ready as well, should you find yourself in a rush to evacuate. 

With these tips in mind, you can now properly prepare yourself for any crisis that may try to leave you stranded in the dark. With the SK636V2 emergency lights at the ready and the means for survival set, your home will be a beacon of safety and security in a sea of darkness.