While it may not need to be expressly stated that condo safety is important, it is something that many people take for granted. It’s easy not to think about what could be going wrong with systems and pieces of equipment that aren’t in plain sight. “Out of sight out of mind” is an apt description for many owners, but not taking an active role in safety can lead to disastrous results. It’s easy to blindly roll along without giving a thought to what’s happening with your condo and your building, we suggest, however, taking a more active role in your condo safety and potentially saving yourself a lot of time and money.

Condo Property Safety

By creating a safety checklist, for your own safety and to stay up to current building codes, is a great way to actively stay on top of any potential hazards without having to run yourself down in doing everything at once. We thought it best to discuss six of the most commonly overlooked potential safety issues and discuss a few of the important aspects that should fall onto your personal checklist. Many of these tasks are simple upkeep and merely paying attention to what’s happening in your condo and building. At the end of the day, keeping your eyes open can potentially save you and everyone around you plenty of headaches and money. With that in mind, here are six superb ways to make sure your condo property is safe.

1. Condo Fire Safety

When it comes to fire safety, there are codes in place to help ensure safety for you. There are a few things you can do in addition to the regulations set up to further ensure your safety and the safety of your condo:

• Primarily, ensure all fire extinguishers and alarms are in working order. It certainly sounds simple, but with extended periods of not being used these can lose their function. Staying on top of these small matters is extremely important;
• It’s great to have your fire extinguishers in working order, but if no one knows where they are or they’re not accessible and evenly spaced out then they’re not doing anyone any good. Be sure to space them properly throughout the building and ensure everyone knows where they are. Simple and effective advice;
• Keep exit doors free of obstructions. In the case of an emergency when exiting the building becomes a necessity, you don’t want anything blocking your path to safety. A pleasing aesthetic is fine until it gets in the way of safety. Make sure there’s a clear path to safety at all times.

2. Electrical Safety

Like fire safety, electrical safety has to be up to current code so there are mechanisms already in place to maintain safety. Again, there are a few other things to think about to ensure the long-term safety of tenants and property:

• Was a licensed electrician used to install the system? Having someone work for cash to save a few bucks may seem like a good idea until something goes awry and things aren’t covered. Spend the extra money to get the electrical properly installed;
• Make sure all electrical outlets are properly covered. This is something you can do on your own and take care of if anything looks off.

3. Storage Areas

Keeping a clean storage area free of items that may invite pests is important for the overall health and cleanliness of the building. People often throw any junk they have laying around in their storage area and these sorts of older, generally useless items, can have a negative effect on the building. Keeping the area tidy and free of anything that will invite in rodents and anything of the sort is a win for everyone.

4. Condo Parking

A properly lit parking lot with the requisite signage will ensure safety for everyone. Certain parking garages, when not properly lit, can be a real hazard especially if there are kids running around. Proper signage, in terms of speed and assigned spaces, is also important to keep the area safe and orderly.

5. Condominium HVAC Systems

An HVAC system that is not regularly monitored can lead to myriad issues. On top of being a safety hazard if it isn’t running properly, poor ventilation and filtration present a danger for all tenants due to poor air quality. There are a few ways to combat HVAC issues and things to keep on your safety checklist:

• Again, is the system maintained and checked regularly? If not, it should be. These professionals are easy to find and have to manage any issues that may arise;
• Ensure ducts are cleaned regularly. This will improve and prevent the overall health of the building and all those that inhabit it.

6. Condo Property Common Areas

The most important way to ensure your common areas are safe is to be sure that the doors are all functioning as they should. Burglaries do happen, and when they do they are often the result of a malfunctioning door or lock system. It’s something that’s easy enough to check and should be done regularly. Locksmiths are always available should the door not be working properly.

Following safe condo property guidelines are important for both condominium tenants and the surrounding community. Our property managers make sure safety is a top priority.

Call our office today to learn more about how our management team can help improve safety as well as all aspects of your condo property.