Futon Heaven

Home security is one of the very first important things that comes to mind for anyone owning or renting an apartment on their own. Burglar security measures can be as direct as having deadbolts and chain bolts installed on the doors and locks on the windows. Advanced burglar security measures are vibration sensors for the windows, infra-red motion sensors, and alarm boxes for the telephone system.

Preventing a break in is far better than dealing with the aftermath. Even if public services like police, paramedics and firefighters can arrive within minutes of an emergency call, by that time the damage is often already done. It can take an opportunistic thief only a minute to enter your property, especially if doing so is made easier by leaving a door unlocked or a window open.

For apartment security, other simple security measures include having a peephole on the front door, and an intercom for the main communal entrance. If you do not have the luxury of a concierge at the front door, then you may wish installing or upgrading to a video intercom instead. You may also consider having a CCTV system installed for any other doors leading into and out of the building.

Consider having the locks changed after moving into a new apartment. Request to see the identification of anybody delivering packages to your door, or of any stranger otherwise asking you to open the door. Make sure all doors and windows are locked whenever you go out, even a sliding door to a balcony, and even if you’re only stepping out for a few minutes.

Here are some additional tips to improve your burglar security. Get a small safe to provide further protection for small, valuable items in your apartment. Buy renter’s insurance to protect yourself from the financial consequences of theft, as well as fire or water damage originating from other apartment dwellers. Talk to your neighbors, so that you can better identify which people that enter the building shouldn’t be there.

Strangers to a locked building sometimes gain entry by trying all the buzzers until at least one resident unlocks the door for them. Another common access method is for the person seeking to gain entry to look for a key under the mat, or other easily guessed locations. Guarding against these common entry methods can mean not coming home to an empty apartment. Especially important for female tenants, only your surname and initials should be used on any nameplates, or other areas that also describe your home’s physical location.

Advanced burglar security measures are vibration sensors for the windows, infra-red motion sensors, and alarm boxes for the telephone system. Of Course, home security is one of the very first important things that comes to mind for anyone owning or renting an apartment on their own. For apartment security, other simple security measures include having a peephole on the front door, and an intercom for the main communal entrance. When attempting to enter a locked building, one of the easiest ways for a stranger to get in is banking on the chance that at least one person in the apartment complex will unlock the door.

- Paul Proctor