High Rise Security

Apartment and Condo Safety

Home safety isn’t just for those who live in single-family units. With the number of people living in apartment and condominiums on the rise, it is important to think about the unique safety precautions that should be taken.

High-rise residential communities can be challenging to keep safe given their size and vertical nature. While it can be hard to get to know your neighbours in an environment like this, developing a sense of building loyalty and community will go a long way when it comes to keeping yourself and other occupants safe.

While high-rise residential security is a shared responsibility, here are some things to consider:

• Make the effort to get to know the people in your building.
• Use the building’s facilities (i.e. the laundry room or gym) during active times when other people are present. You can also consider using a buddy system.
• Only open access-controlled areas such as the lobby or garage for people that you know.
• Report suspicious strangers to the property manager or superintendent.
• Make sure open or unlatched doors are secure. If you see a door propped open, close it.
• When waiting for the elevator, stand off to the side of the door and be sure to look inside before you get in. If you are not comfortable with the occupants, don’t go in.
• When inside the elevator stand near the control panel. If you are in danger, push all the floor buttons and the emergency button. Do not push the stop button as you may become trapped between floors.
• Ensure the locks on your unit are secure and have been recently changed. Do not take the chance that the last occupant doesn’t have a key or didn’t give a key out.
• Keep doors and windows locked. This not seem as important given the vertical nature of some of these buildings, but a high volume of people travel through apartment and condo complexes every day. An unlocked door or window provides opportunity for someone with bad intentions.
• Utilize a safe to keep important items and documents.

To learn more about keeping your unit safe, contact Pop-A-Lock today and speak with a trusted locksmith professional. Search on Pop-A-Lock.ca by city name or postal code.