Even with the province of Ontario having a maximum sentence of life in prison for breaking and entering into an occupied dwelling (1), these types of crimes saw an increase in 2021 and 2022. (2)
While single-family homes on the ground are 15% more likely to be burglarized than apartment buildings (3), living in an apartment does not mean you’re not at risk of break-ins.
Just ask the apartment dwellers who were robbed by the brazen thieves who scaled the outside of the building to reach the target units in St. Catharines a few years ago. (4)
While a robust Ontario home insurance policy by Erie Mutual Insurance or tenant insurance policy is an important safety net in the event of worse case scenarios, prevention is your first and best line of defence.
WHEN DO APARTMENT BREAK-INS HAPPEN?
Burglars are opportunistic. “Professional” criminals will often strike when you’re least likely to be home.
Thieves will observe your schedule and often choose to enter your home shortly after you have left for work.
This is why most break-ins happen between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
So how can you lower the chances of being a victim of a break-and-enter and keep your apartment more secure?
PREVENT CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY
Don’t leave possessions accessible on a balcony, in the hallway or other unsecured shared spaces within the building.
Lock up your bikes and BBQs!
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Especially those you share a wall with.
You don’t have to be best friends, but having a solid positive relationship will motivate your community to keep each other safe by looking out for your apartment while you’re away and reporting crimes that they witness even if they aren’t involved.
PRACTICE SAFE INTERCOM
Don’t let just anyone into the building that was not expected (e.g. visitor you do not know or food delivery).
We know it can be awkward not to hold the building door open to let someone enter when they are behind you, but if you don’t know them, let them use their own key or intercom whoever it is that they came to visit in the building.
If everyone in the building practices this, there will be fewer unwanted visitors roaming the grounds.
INSTALL STRONG LOCKS ON DOORS AND WINDOWS
Especially for those living on the first floor but as the article mentioned above proves, you’re still at risk on higher floors.
DON’T ANNOUNCE TIME AWAY
Have a neighbour check in on your door, but don’t tell many people you’ll be away and don’t post about your vacation to social media.
RELATED ARTICLE: Holiday Vacation Checklist
While there’s no way to make your apartment 100% secure, practising these things can significantly reduce your chances of being a target.
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
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SOURCES
1 – criminalcodehelp.ca
2 – statcan.gc.ca
3 – securehouse.ca
4 – chch.com
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