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Balcony and window safety

To make sure you and your family stay safe in your home, remember: 

  • Don’t disconnect the window restrictor on your window unless you need to open the window fully to clean it. The restrictor is a safety device that prevents the window opening wide enough to allow a child to fall out.
  • Never leave small children unattended in a room where windows or French doors leading to balconies are open.
  • Keep the area below windows and balcony railings clear of furniture or stored items. These could be used by a child to climb out of an open window or climb over a balcony railing.
  • Don’t put any material (such as vinyl sheet or tiles) down on your balcony. This will prevent rainwater from draining properly and may also make the surface slippery when wet, causing you to slip and fall. 

Roof safety

Customers are not allowed access to roof areas unless the roof forms part of the building’s escape route. 

Any contractor that needs to access a roof, either employed by us or you (if you’re a leaseholder) must contact us to get a permit to work by emailing us at buildingsafety@stonewater.org. 

Preventing external fires

If your home has a private balcony, there are a few things you can do to help prevent fires which will keep you, your family and your neighbours safe.  
 
It’s really important that you don’t: 

  • use barbecues on your balcony - they can set fire to the building or falling embers could set light to balconies below you
  • drop cigarettes over the side of your balcony - they could cause a fire on a balcony below you
  • store any items on your balcony that might catch fire - we know it’s not always practical, but it’s important to keep your balcony as clear as possible to reduce the risk of fire spreading and to help keep you safe. 

Read more on our fire safety pages.

Reporting a damaged balcony, railing, window or glazing

If you notice any damage to your windows, balcony railings or glazing, it is important you contact us as soon as possible so we can make them safe.

This includes any damage to any balconies, walkways, railings or glazing panels in communal areas.