Madonna's Windows Violate New York Law!

Actually, this isn't so funny; lots of toddlers fall out

By Joal Ryan Jun 19, 1997 12:10 AMTags
More diary fodder for Madonna's baby: The New York City Health Department's after Mommy.

Officials tomorrow will notify the Material Girl, via mail, that her Central Park West high-rise lacks childproof window guards, as required by local law.

"Our effort...is not to penalize anybody," says Fred Winters, spokesman for the NYC Health Department. "It's to educate and inform her of the important safety factor."

Manhattan may be a big city, you see, but it's got an even bigger heart. Seems like just about everybody there is looking out for Madonna's little tyke, Lourdes, now eight months old.

The get-Madonna-window-guards movement started when Gotham City Councilman Kenneth Fisher spotted a newspaper picture of Ms. Evita's fifth-floor apartment. The shot revealed Lourdes sitting on her nanny's lap, peering through a window--a window that wasn't child-proofed. Fisher knew something had to be done.

His plan: "I sent Madonna a letter congratulating her on her beautiful baby and said that in no time at all she's going to be toddling around," he said.

His message: "It wasn't too soon to start thinking about putting up window guards."

Kids falling out of windows is a real problem, with real consequences in the Big Apple. Between 45 and 50 children tumble over ledges and plunge through open panes every year. In 1995, five died as a result of such accidents. The city's most notorious case involved another superstar musician: In 1991, Eric Clapton's four-year-old son fell to his death from a 53rd-floor penthouse.

All New York City apartments that house children aged 11 and under have been required to outfit their windows with steel, cage-like safety bars since 1976.

Now, it's possible Madonna could solve her problem by merely picking up the phone and calling the "super." The landlord (if the pop singer rents) or management company (if she owns) is the party responsible for installing window locks. And that's who would be subject to fines if city code is ignored.

Just in case Madonna wants to take matters into her own capable hands, Fred Winters advises she can buy window guards herself--for no more than $10 a lock. (Only $7-8 if she takes Lourdes on a shopping spree to the local True Value.)

All of this window business may soon be a moot point. The New York Post reports that the notorious Sex authoress is looking for new digs. After getting turned down by snooty co-ops (where single motherhood doesn't win you any points), she's said to be interested in a $6 million townhouse/mansion.