Top 5 Security Risks for Condominium Buildings in Winter

Winter months and cold weather bring unique security challenges for condominium buildings across Canada, particularly in densely populated cities like Vancouver and Toronto. As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, condominiums face increased security and safety risks that should be considered in a building’s residential security strategy. In this blog, we'll discuss the top 5 winter security risks for condominiums and how residential security teams address them.

1. Low Visibility and Lighting Issues

Winter's shorter daylight hours and longer nights create a variety of security challenges for residential buildings. With limited daylight, the operationality of a building’s internal and external lights becomes more important. Dark spaces, particularly around entrances, secluded areas, or CCTV camera sight-lines can pose a heightened security risk during long nights. Uniformed security guards on patrol will check a building’s lights and make a report if a light needs maintenance. 

Poor weather may also negatively impact visibility in and around condominiums. Snow or rain accumulation on unprotected CCTV cameras can create blind spots and should be cleared promptly. During periods of cold weather, fewer residents use outdoor common spaces such as courtyards. Uniformed security guards will patrol these under-utilized areas to ensure their continued protection from vagrants and trespassers. 

2. Stairwell Security Risks

As stairwells are important access points for emergency services and residents, their continued safety is a priority during winter months. Stairwells in condominiums with elevators may see less foot traffic as residents will be more likely to use the elevator to access parking garages and garbage rooms. 

Security issues may arise when unmonitored stairwells attract vagrants seeking shelter from cold weather. Beyond potential theft and vandalism, vagrancy can lead to congested stairwells, which pose a major safety risk in the event of an emergency such as a fire. 

Additional factors that make stairwells particularly vulnerable include poor CCTV reception due to concrete building structures, security camera blind spots, and direct access to alleyways in buildings.

Security guards on patrol will monitor stairwells throughout the day to ensure that doors are secured, lighting is functional, and there are no unauthorized individuals camping inside.

3. Parkade Vulnerabilities

Similarly to stairwells, parkades can attract vagrants seeking shelter during winter. Earlier darkness means less visibility, and trespassers may attempt to sneak or break into parking garages at night when visibility is at a minimum. These challenges are compounded by the increased risk of vehicle thefts and break-ins.

A condominium’s residential security team will closely monitor a building’s parkade throughout the day, ensuring that all access points are secure and there are no signs of vehicle theft or car damage.

4. Access Control Security

A building’s entrances can become security hazards during winter. Residents who rush indoors to escape the cold are less likely to ensure the door is securely closed behind them, opening up opportunities for trespassers. Additionally, snow and ice buildup may prevent doors from closing properly, particularly back alley entrances, which may not receive the same level of snow shovelling maintenance as front entrances. 

Winter clothing, like heavy coats, hoods, and scarves, makes visual identification more difficult for concierge security guards, who can identify strangers and residents as they enter the building. Thieves may enter buildings wearing bulky clothing to reach residential floors undetected. To ensure resident safety during winter months, concierge security guards may speak to individuals wearing obstructive garments and ask who they’re visiting to confirm their legitimacy.

5. Emergency Response Concerns

Winter weather presents challenges that can impact the ability of emergency responders to enter the building. Ice and snow may slow down vehicles as they approach the building, and could pose a danger to emergency responders on foot as they enter. Residential security guards should coordinate with building maintenance teams to ensure prompt and continued snow removal from exterior walkways, driveways, and around building entrances. 

As mentioned previously, stairwells occupied by vagrants can create blockages during emergency evacuations and otherwise inhibit access to upper floors. In the event of a winter power outage, emergency responders will need to access the upper floors through the building’s stairwells, meaning it’s critical that they remain unobstructed. 

Mobile Security: Residential Security Overnight

In addition to uniformed security and concierge security guards, condominium buildings that don’t require security guards on site 24/7 may benefit from increased protection during long winter nights. Mobile security patrols can be scheduled for any time of day or night on a randomized schedule to provide an element of deterrence to potential thieves and trespassers. 

While on patrol, mobile security guards will check for and report maintenance issues, ensure that areas such as parkades and stairwells are clear, patrol the building’s perimeter and exterior property, and check that all access points remain secure. 

Additionally, mobile security guards will respond to alarms triggered in the building. Residential buildings protected by Blackbird are monitored by our 24/7 Control Centre team, who deploy the nearest mobile guard in the event of a triggered alarm. This added protection provides a necessary layer of a residential building’s security strategy and ensures that a building remains secure during overnight hours. 

Blackbird Security: The Solution for Condominium Security

At Blackbird Security, our professional residential security guards are trained and equipped with the knowledge to address all condominium security challenges, including those posed during winter months. Through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy, our guards receive advanced training in areas such as Conflict De-escalation, Crisis Intervention, Standard First Aid, and more. We emphasize an empathetic and professional approach to addressing non-emergency confrontations, like vagrancy, and our guards treat all individuals with respect. 

Partner With Canada's Number One Residential Security Provider

Winter security challenges require specific security solutions. If you’re seeking residential security for your condominium, apartment building, or residential complex, get in touch with our team through the form below. Our experienced residential security teams are ready to help protect your property and your residents throughout the winter months.

Curious to learn more about condo security? Read our Definitive Guide to Condominium Securityy.