Toronto Rental Apartment Safety: The Quick Guide

Staying safe in a new rental apartment can be daunting—especially if you’re visiting another city or country, and don’t know what to expect. While there are always situations we can’t control, we can be better prepared for them—and know how our spaces are equipped to help us out.

On that note: Here are some quick basics on staying safe in your Toronto furnished rental suite.

Know the safety features in your suite

The great thing about renting a furnished condominium suite is that they’re built for everyday living—and have all the safety features you’d expect from long-term homes. Most Toronto condominium buildings have layers of built-in fire safety features, and DelSuites puts our suites in Tridel buildings, which have fire alarm panels, pressurized elevator shafts to keep the air clean, sprinkler systems, heat sensors, and more.

If you’re concerned about safety, there are a few key things to find: your fuse box, your water shutoff valve, your smoke alarm, your fire extinguisher, and your closest fire exit.

Most Toronto condominiums put the water shutoff valve underneath one of the sinks: either in your kitchen or your main bathroom. Knowing where that is can stop any drainage or flooding trouble before it starts, just by flipping a switch.

The same goes for your fuse box. Fuses will be clearly labelled, so if something doesn’t look right, you can cut the power to just that appliance without worrying about the rest.

All DelSuites units have access to a working and unexpired fire extinguisher — it’s located in the building hallway. Your building also keeps your smoke alarm tested and up to date. Finding both on your first day will help you feel confident in case a late dinner or movie-night popcorn burns a little too much.

But your fire exit might be the most important safety feature to find when you arrive for your stay. Accidents can happen, small or large. Knowing your plan to leave the building safely—which stairwell is closest, what your backup is, and where it lets you out onto the street—can make a difficult situation, or even just a fire drill, much easier. And in better situations: you’ll know exactly how to get in your daily steps.

Know your building’s specific safety features

Buildings are communities, and depending on their situation, they have a variety of safety and security features that can put your mind at ease.

Most Toronto condominiums test their fire alarms once a month, by law—so don’t be alarmed if you wake up to a deep voice telling you it’s testing day.

Many buildings have features that restrict or control who comes in and out of the building. Alongside a professional concierge at the desk, many buildings have buzzer systems, security cameras throughout elevators and hallways, and fob- or card-coded elevators to make sure only residents can access their floor.

DelSuites buildings also have security and anti-theft features in our indoor parking lots: sensors, cameras, and restricted access. You can be confident your car—rental or otherwise—will stay safe.

If you’re facing noise or something that concerns you in your hallway, you can always call down to your concierge desk and they’ll offer you advice—or come check it out.

Dress for the weather

It’s not what most people think when we think “safety”, but in a Toronto winter, having warm enough coats, boots, and clothes is a way to stay safe. On bitterly cold winter days—when temperatures drop to -15 C or below—the city issues Extreme Cold Weather Alerts, and too much time outside without the right protection can mean frostbite.

While Toronto’s adapted for those colder days—the downtown PATH system can get around them entirely—it’s smart to pack for the weather, especially if you’re not visiting from a cold-weather region.

Your concierge—and guest services team—is your resource

We often don’t think about how basic things work—until we travel internationally, and things work entirely differently.

Not sure how one of your appliances works? Or if the hairdryer you brought from home is made for Toronto’s electrical outlets? Can’t find a fire extinguisher, or what the best and safest route to the parking garage would be?

Your concierge and guest services team are your guides, hosts, and resources. Think of them as a friendly, professional tour guide for a new living space: the guest services team for your unit and your neighbourhood (where do I find a pharmacy, again?) and your concierge for the building.

If you’re worried about something in your suite, need a safe route to do something, or just want to double-check your instincts: just ask. They’ll be happy to help.

 

Safety means different things to all of us, but whatever you need, we can help you find it—or set it up. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can help you explore your furnished long-term rental apartment, or find one that fits your lifestyle.