Get safety in order before something happens.

From the beginning of 2026, the building owner, such as the housing company or landlord, is responsible for ensuring that smoke alarms are installed and functioning. The resident's task is to report any faults or empty batteries to the owner without delay, and the alarm must not be removed.

At least one per 60 square meters of each floor or level of the apartment. For a single-storey apartment under 60 m², one is enough, for an 80 m² apartment, two are needed. The alarm is installed on the ceiling at least half a meter away from the walls.

In existing dwellings, the reference value for radon concentration is 300 Bq/m³ as an annual average. New buildings must be designed and constructed so that the concentration remains below 200 Bq/m³. The measurement is taken between 1.9.–31.5. for at least two months.

Complete the basic training for a guard (at least 120 lessons) or the basic training for an order supervisor (at least 40 lessons) and apply for approval from the police. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and honest and reliable. The approval is valid for five years. With temporary guard training of 40 lessons, you can get approval for a maximum of four months.

The law (124/2025) has been in force since 8.4.2025. It applies to companies and communities operating in critical sectors, such as energy, transport, banks, healthcare, water supply, digital infrastructure and manufacturing. Those within the scope of the law must register with the supervisor's list of operators in their sector, manage cyber risks and report significant deviations within 24 hours.

The Rescue Act and the Rescue Regulation 407/2011 require a rescue plan, among other things, in large commercial and assembly premises, accommodation and care facilities, schools and many industrial and storage facilities. A rescue plan is also required for public events with at least 200 people at the same time. You can check the situation of your own property from your local rescue service.

Security companies must have a business license granted by the National Police Board, and guards and security personnel must have valid approvals (Private Security Services Act 1085/2015). Ask for license information when requesting a quote, inquire about insurance and references, and agree in writing on the content of the service and response times.

In 2025, the police received reports of approximately 3,400 burglaries, about 100 more than in 2024 (Statistics Finland). Burglaries can be prevented by locking doors and windows, lighting, and making sure the home does not appear empty during trips.

In 2025, 547,700 criminal offenses were reported to authorities, 4.9% more than in 2024. From January to June 2026, the total number remained almost unchanged (261,500, -0.2%), but assaults increased by 11.8% and shoplifting by 13.2%. Fraud decreased by 14.1%.

In 2025, 76,500 shoplifting incidents were reported to the police, 21.4% more than the previous year. From January to June 2026, there were 39,800 incidents, 13.2% more than the previous year, and in Helsinki, the growth was 25.3% (Statistics Finland).

The median total salary for a full-time security guard was €2,858 and the average was €3,010 per month in 2024. There were 6,495 full-time security guards in the statistics (Statistics Finland, pay structure). A security guard's job requires police approval and at least 120 hours of basic training.

A government proposal is being prepared to administratively combat organised crime (VN/6617/2025), which would also change the law on private security services (1085/2015). The consultation round was in summer 2026, and there is no decision on its entry into force yet. The current law requires a security company to have a trade licence from the National Police Board.