With the arrival of the Carnival holiday, many condominiums face a significant increase in the flow of people and vehicles, both from residents and visitors as well as from internal events. This increased activity can create security challenges, requiring preparation, clear protocols and a proactive attitude on the part of the condominium management.

Especially during festive periods, security cannot be left to improvisation: it is essential to review access protocols, verify visitors in advance and strengthen communication between managers, doormen and residents to prevent gaps and vulnerabilities.

Front desk and strict access control

One of the main risk factors during a busy holiday such as Carnival is the increased movement of people, including temporary visitors and service providers. A 2025 SECOVI SP survey reveals that more than 70% of building managers consider access control the biggest challenge during this period, precisely because of the higher footfall and the internal events taking place.

To address this scenario, condominiums should reinforce front desk and security routines, ensuring that only authorised people enter the premises. Recommended measures include:

• Prior registration of visitors and temporary residents, with a list provided to the front desk team, as set out in the by-laws or internal regulations;

• Strict identification checks before granting access, preventing “tailgating” and unauthorised entry;

• Expanded camera monitoring, especially at strategic points such as the front desk, car parks and access points to communal areas;

• Use of complementary technology, such as digital access control systems or virtual concierge services, to reduce the margin for human error and improve traceability of movements.

This level of rigour reduces the likelihood of strangers gaining entry and of problems such as theft, vandalism or misuse of spaces during the festivities, when residents' attention may be reduced.

Staff training and prevention of risky behaviour

Another crucial aspect for a safe holiday is training the front desk and security team. Well-trained staff can identify unusual situations, maintain order and respond appropriately to residents under the influence of alcohol or behaving inappropriately, which are common during festive periods such as Carnival.

Specific training may include:

• Protocols for approaching people behaving aggressively or who are intoxicated, focusing on de-escalation and assertive communication;

• Procedures for following up on unusual incidents, such as reports of vandalism, fights or misuse of communal areas;

• Guidelines for advising residents and visitors on the internal regulations, quiet hours and restrictions on the use of communal areas;
  

In addition, staff must be prepared to immediately inform the building manager or outsourced security if they identify situations that could escalate into physical risk or damage to property.

A culture of prevention and communication with residents

Effective security during an extended holiday also depends on educating residents, with advance notices about the rules of coexistence, peak activity times and good behaviour practices. Communicating this guidance by email, noticeboards or the condominium's official channels helps create a collaborative, preventive environment, reducing unnecessary incidents and risks.

Building managers who anticipate the review of protocols, train their teams and strengthen access control are able to turn a potentially vulnerable period into a time of organised, safe coexistence, with a lower likelihood of incidents affecting everyone's property and wellbeing.