A public petition has been launched in North Cyprus calling for balcony safety to become a legal requirement, highlighting the risks posed by unsafe balcony structures to residents—particularly children.
The petition, initiated by Alix Merchant, draws attention to the widespread issue of low balcony railings and dangerously wide gaps between bars. It stresses that several preventable accidents have already occurred due to inadequate safety measures.
According to the petition, in 2025 a 3-year-old child in Nicosia fell from a balcony and was hospitalized, while a 9-year-old in Kyrenia also suffered serious injuries in a similar incident. These cases are cited as clear evidence of an ongoing safety risk in residential buildings.
The campaign urges authorities to introduce the following regulations:
- Minimum balcony railing height of 110–120 cm
- Maximum gap width between railings of 10 cm
- Ban on horizontal or climbable railings
- Mandatory safety inspections for older buildings
- Enforcement measures and penalties for unsafe construction
The statement also notes that similar safety standards are already enforced in countries such as the United Kingdom and across Europe, where regulations are designed to prevent falls and protect residents.
Despite these established international standards, North Cyprus currently lacks clear and enforceable balcony safety laws, leaving families, children, and even pets at risk.
The petition emphasizes that “safe balconies save lives” and calls on the public to support the initiative by signing and sharing it.
The petition can be accessed via the following link:
🔗 https://c.org/mPsWR794BT