Home Safety
Home Safety:
Across Calgary, police respond to residential break-ins every week. Most of the time, these incidents aren’t carefully planned, they’re crimes of opportunity. That means offenders are usually looking for homes that are easier to access or where they’re less likely to be seen.
Certain types of properties can be more attractive targets, including:
- Corner lots, where there are often more access points and fewer neighbours watching.
- Homes backing onto parks, pathways, or green spaces, which can give someone easier access to the back of the property.
- Homes that appear vacant or not well maintained, which can signal that no one is around.
Keeping Your Home Safe
A few simple habits can go a long way in protecting your home:
- Keep shrubs and hedges trimmed so there are clear sightlines to doors and windows.
- Lock your garage and screen doors, even when you’re home.
- Take the time to get to know your neighbours and look out for each other’s homes.
- Consider adding secondary locks to windows and sliding patio doors.
If You’re Heading Out of Town
Planning a vacation? A few small steps can help keep your home from becoming a target:
- Pause or cancel newspaper deliveries so they don’t pile up.
- Avoid posting travel plans on social media while you’re away.
- Ask a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member to check in on your home, collect mail, or park in the driveway occasionally.
Preventing Repeat Break-Ins
Unfortunately, homes that have been broken into once are more likely to be targeted again within the following month.
After a break-in, it’s important to take steps to reduce the chances of it happening again. Look at what might have made your property vulnerable and consider improvements such as better lighting, stronger locks, or changes to landscaping to improve visibility.
Know Your Neighbours
One of the best ways to keep a community safe is by working together. If there’s a break-in in your neighbourhood, talk with neighbours and keep each other informed. Watching out for suspicious activity around each other’s homes can make a big difference.
Safety Tips for Condo and Apartment Residents
Living in a high-rise building brings its own security challenges. Because of the size and layout of many buildings, it can sometimes be harder to know who belongs there and who doesn’t. Keeping your building safe is a shared responsibility.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make an effort to introduce yourself to your neighbours.
- Try to use shared spaces like laundry rooms during busier times, or go with a friend.
- Only open secured doors in the lobby or parkade for people you know.
- Report unknown people loitering near entrances to building management.
- If you see a door that’s propped open or not closing properly, close it.
- When waiting for an elevator, stand to the side of the doors and check inside before entering. If you’re uncomfortable with who’s inside, wait for the next one.
- Once inside the elevator, stand near the control panel. If you ever feel unsafe, press multiple floor buttons and the emergency button. Avoid using the stop button, as it may trap the elevator between floors.
More Crime Prevention Resources
Stay one step ahead: check out more tools, tips, and crime‑prevention resources.
