Safety in High Rise buildings

 

Balcony in a parador hotel in La Palma.

Holidays should bring happiness. Let us look at some problems and then some solutions.

Problems

Buildings are badly designed.  

Accidents waiting to happen.

1 Some people keep threatening to commit suicide. 

2 Others keep threatening to kill other people. 

3 Some buildings have a history of accidents, due to poorly designed windows, low balconies.

4 Lack of maintenance - window hinges, loose glass, rusting balcony supports.

5 Cleaners open windows.

6 People climb up buildings after forgetting keys.

7 Drunks climb for a dare, for attention getting videos.

8 People climb out to escape a fire, an intruder, of if drunk, an imagined monster. 

9 In Singapore maids cleaning windows fall due to carelessness of the maid or the employer who insists the worker does risky things. 

10 Peoole taking photos, or sitting on balcony edges learn backwards and topple, or reach for a hat which blows off, dodge a playful blow, or an insect, or learn to get a better view or photot.

11 Lack of maintenance, lack of repairs, or lack of checking of doors, windows, walls, hinges, supports.  

12 Trying to rescue an animal, child, adult.

13 Child, or adult with low IQ, does not understand the danger of climbing out onto a ledge.

14 Too many people on a balcony.

15 People, adults or children, sitting on each other's shoulders,

What can be done for safety?

Solutions

1 Some developments are stepped, so you can only fall one storey.

2 Trees and bushes can break a fall. 

3 Playgrounds have special surfaces beside slides. 

4 Some hotels in USA cities have non opening windows. I was shown a hotel like this in San Francisco. 

5 Singapore public housing if you own a cat you must have bars balconies to protect cats. And protect people the cats would fall on.

What can you do?

1 Always read the safety instructions regarding the nearest exit in a hotel room.

2 Note the location of fire extinguishers

3 Note the location of life jackets on planes,  and life belts by pools. Make noting safety routine.

4 Note safety rules in other countries and places which could be copied.

5 Make friends with your local councillor and add them to your street Whatsapp group or local Next door group so you can easily get information and pass them suggestions.

6 Campaign for higher safety standards.

Useful Websites

https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15858551/Child-woman-man-die-falling-London-flats.html?ico=comment-anchor#comments

Updated with photos on June 8th 2026.