How to Use the Window Guard Spacing Checker
Window bar spacing rules mean something different depending on where you live. In South Korea, security bars are installed mainly to keep intruders out, and closer spacing is generally safer. In the U.S., window guards are regulated for the opposite direction of concern: preventing young children from falling out of upper-floor windows. This tool uses the U.S. purpose and standard.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that window guard openings be small enough that a 4-inch (10.2cm) diameter sphere cannot pass through. The logic is simple — if a toddler's head can fit through a gap, the rest of their body usually can too, which creates a serious fall hazard, especially above the first floor.
Enter your window guard's bar spacing to see whether it meets this 4-inch standard. If your guard fails, consider adding intermediate bars or replacing the unit, particularly in homes with children under 10 who have access to upper-floor windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Window bar spacing serves different purposes by country. In the U.S., window guards are mainly regulated to prevent young children from falling out of windows, per CPSC guidance, rather than to block intruders.
Openings in a window guard should not allow a 4-inch (10.2cm) diameter sphere to pass through. If a young child's head can fit through a gap, their body can follow, creating a fall risk.