Eighty-six-year-old Lida Arakelyan fell to her death from her 10th floor apartment at 455 Ocean Parkway yesterday as she was attempting to close a window, according to police and witnesses. The building is located between Cortelyou Road and Ditmas Avenue, closer to Cortelyou. Police don't suspect criminality. Ms. Arakelyan lived with her husband, daughter, and grandchildren.
A word about window guards: A window guard might have saved Ms. Arakelyan's life. A 1976 New York City law requires owners of buildings with three or more apartments to install window guards in apartments where children aged ten or younger live. Owners are also required to install them for anyone who requests them, for any reason, whether or not children live in or visit the apartment.
Owners are required to send a notice and a form to residents every year that asks about children's ages. Residents then complete the form and return it to the owner. If an owner doesn't follow through on installing all window guards that have been requested, residents should report it by calling 311.
