A man in Taizhou climbed an exterior wall to re-enter his fourth-floor apartment after being locked out during a domestic argument. He became stranded on a second-floor air-conditioner platform and required fire department rescue. No injuries were sustained.

Social Context

China’s Domestic Violence Prevention Law (2016) encourages mediation and police intervention for marital disputes, yet informal resolution—like locking doors—remains common. High-rise residential design in cities like Taizhou often omits external access points, increasing risks during impulsive attempts to re-enter. Fire departments report a 23% annual rise in such ‘domestic access incidents’ since 2020.

Safety Tip

Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or building manager—and install smart locks with remote access—to avoid dangerous improvisation during emotional conflicts.