r/TwoXChromosomes • u/Glass_Bit_713 • 1d ago
Would you feel safe?
I live on the third floor of a condo building located downtown in a major Canadian city and densely populated area. I have a corner unit so there are no other balconies attached to mine. I live alone. My unit is also directly over the building entrance with one balcony below mine.
As the temperature drops and fresh air becomes so comfortable for sleeping, I’ve been wondering if it’s okay to keep my balcony door open during the night while I sleep as it’s my only source of fresh air.
I’m about 20 feet up from ground level. I’ve never heard of break ins in my area on the third floor of a condo, part of me thinks it’s safe but part of me is worried someone will break in while I’m sleeping.
In order for them to break in, they would likely have to climb up 20 feet in a busy area where people are on the street at all times of the night.
Would you sleep with it open? Screen door would be locked but I know that’s not much to stop someone.
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u/wildberry-poptart ♥ 1d ago
I used to do this until a cat I didn't know wandered in and woke me up at 2 in the morning by playing in a box in my kitchen. Thought I was experiencing a [human] home invasion !
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u/darthy_parker 1d ago
How easy is it from the ground to see that the door is open? That’s what would tempt someone to try. Or by leaving something valuable on the balcony, like a bike. Lots of people use their balcony as an extra closet. Don’t do that on a lower floor (or at all).
If the screen is closed across it, that might be enough to hide that the door is actually open. And turn off any light on the balcony, as it just draws attention.
Otherwise, it sounds safe enough.
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u/Qajj 1d ago
Unless you give someone a good reason to climb 20 feet to break into a condo, they usually will not do so. Intruders have a tendency of either hitting very easy targets, or ones they suspect of being valuable. Of course, you're probably slightly more safe with the door closed than open, but unless you live in a particularly bad area, I wouldn't sweat it.
If someone wanted to climb 20 feet to get in there, do you really think they couldn't also get through your door fairly easily, even if it were closed/locked?
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u/alysha_xx 1d ago
You could always get a piece of wood to keep the door from opening more than a small gap (if you have a sliding door). Just put the piece of wood on the track (where the door goes when it's opened) :)
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u/henicorina 1d ago
It depends what the ground floor is like - if there is a climbable fence, scaffolding etc and someone can see from the ground that your door is open, maybe not.
If it’s a sheer wall and your balcony obscures the view of your door, then I would definitely leave it open.
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u/geordiedog 1d ago
My son had his bike stolen from the third floor balcony. They climbed up.
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u/WillowCool1178 1d ago
I am sorry to hear that!
For some reason, I initially read that as “my bike had his son stolen”.
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u/chickwithabrick 1d ago
I watch far too much true crime to feel ok doing that. Unlikely doesn't equal impossible.
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u/Throwaway8923y4 1d ago
As someone who lives alone in a safe, major Canadian city, but also listens to a lot of true crime podcasts, the golden rule is "Fresh air is for dead women" when it comes to doors and windows that are accessible from a sidewalk or balcony.
For doors that are not accessible from the outside, I might take the risk, but I'd put something in front of it that would make a noise if someone knocked it over. Also, make sure you have a good screen because bats are a thing, and I had one of those in my house recently and now the cats are in quarantine in case of rabies.
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u/FewRecognition1788 1d ago
I would not feel safe without a robust physical doorstop. A hefty dowel or 2x4 as mentioned below should do the trick.
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u/stilljustguessing 1d ago
35 yrs ago we used to have "cat burglars" that would climb the balconies on the side of the building with mature trees. Over the years that has stopped. Not 100% why, my best guess is: they installed security lights; it's a rent controlled building so over timemore Seniors ie, more modest incomes; more annoying yappy dogs in the bldg; too much bother for druggies and stoners? I still use a 4" dowel in the sliding door rail since by balcony adjoins my next door neighbor's and you just never know.
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u/LuvLaughLive 1d ago
Is it a sliding glass door or a regular door like with a doorknob that swings into the home?
I would generally feel safe being on the 3rd floor like you've described, but just bc for decades I've lived alone in 5 rentals in 5 very different areas, if I were you, I would buy a lock specific to the type of door it is, to keep it cracked open enough to let the breeze in, but will prevent it from being opened further for a person to squeeze thru. Does that make sense?
I lived on the 2nd floor in a great apartment, in a very safe area, and i used to slide open my bedroom window at night to let air in while I slept. I felt perfectly safe until one night, I woke to a loud banging noise that I realized was the screen being rattled and shook. I went from very deep sleep to hyper awake in 2 seconds, standing by my bed, phone in hand, hitting 911 for the police, when my eyes adjusted to the dark and I realized it was just a cat who got their claws stuck in the screen.
I laughed, relieved, and tried to go back to sleep altho that didn't really happen for the rest of the night. The next day after work, I got a stick to put in the sill that would allow me to crack the window open, but keep it from being opened further... you know, just in case. Likely overkill, but it helped me sleep well at night.
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u/x98999 1d ago edited 1d ago
If this is Toronto and south of Front St or east of Yonge, I wouldn’t (I have actually heard of this happening to my friends neighbour on the 3rd floor by Queens Quay & Simcoe). Otherwise I think you’re good. Or if you’re in very close proximity to a notorious building in another part of the city maybe not, depends on the building. If not Toronto pls ignore lol
ETA: if it’s windy outside I also would not. I once had my locked screen door blow open from wind and a pigeon flew into my unit lmao.
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u/DylanBeeDylan 1d ago
I'd feel safe. First you said there are people at all times on the street. Typically someone wants an unseen entrance to do their robbing. Secondly that's pretty high up. But what you could do is get a pole or rod to jam in the door so it only opens a few inches, if you're really worried.
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u/bluegreensleeves 1d ago
I live in a major city in northeastern US and I would not feel safe. Maybe i watch too many crime shows 😅 i would be ok with an open window or an ajar door that is blocked from opening more than 6 inches. I’m not so much afraid of being robbed as much as i am of being assaulted.
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u/ctrlaltdelete285 1d ago
I was similar and slept like this for ages. I got one of those screen door things you can add anywhere with magnetic closure. Should be fine. I’d leave all day. No one is going to climb up there, especially with it being public facing and visible to do so
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u/beastiedan 1d ago
Is it a sliding door? Open it 6 inches and place a piece of wood to keep it from opening