How to Make Your First-Floor Apartment Safe
In business, getting in on the ground floor is great. You are part of a plan early on to gain an advantage. When it comes to apartment-dwelling, however, getting in on the ground floor is only an advantage in some respects. It’s easier for you and your pets to get in an out, it’s easier to move furniture in and out, but getting in on the ground floor also has a significant disadvantage: it’s easier for thieves.
Does that mean you should nix first-floor apartment living? Not at all. Homeowners face the issue of protecting ground-floor entrances all the time. Check out our 8 Best Ways to Deter Burglars post.
How can I make my apartment safe and secure?
Securing your first-floor apartment includes many of the same tips as securing your whole home, but keep in mind of some items that leave you vulnerable on the first floor.
- Create the illusion that someone is home – Thieves are looking for apartments that are easy targets (aka no one’s home). Keep the blinds on your windows shut so a thief can’t see what is going on inside. Leave some lights on, or the TV or radio, when you are gone.
- Make sure the exterior of the building is well lit – Unlike a home, where you can install outdoor lights, an apartment doesn’t offer this option. Check out the building during the day and at night so you can make sure there aren’t any easy hiding spots for thieves, such as overgrown shrubs or bushes near windows or dark, shadowy corners near doors.
- Keep doors and windows securely closed and locked – Not only do you want to keep first-floor doors and windows securely closed and locked when you are not at home, but you also want to make sure a first-floor door can’t be easily kicked in. Entry doors should have strong deadbolts and long screws in the strike plate of at least 2 ½ to 3 inches. If the apartment has a sliding door to an outdoor patio, invest in a spring-loaded metal bar for the middle of the door.
- Double check before answering the door – Always check to see who is at the door before opening it. Apartment doors should have a peephole. Even better, consider installing a video doorbell that will record footage of someone at your front door.
- Keep your keys unmarked – Don’t put your apartment number on your keys or key ring in case you lose them. Also, while we’re at it, make sure your landlord changes out the locks on your doors before you move in, so you can ensure there are no “spare” keys from the former owner floating around.
- Install an alarm system – Some landlords may install the monitoring equipment for you and consider it a capital expense if you are willing to pay the monthly monitoring fees. If not, there are many affordable, wireless security options available. Professional monitoring is crucial because it doesn’t take much time for a burglar to get into an apartment, find your valuables, and get out.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Where Should Window and Motion Sensors be Placed?
Motion and window sensors are basic parts of a security system in both residential and business applications. The expert security team at FSS Technologies has helped thousands of business and property owners stay safe with these tools. Sensors A motion sensor allows a system to detect movement, using waves or light to determine if someone or…
Can Video Surveillance Be Used In Court?
You should talk to a law enforcement professional in your area to know for sure what is admissible in your local court, but here are some general guidelines about criteria that law enforcement will take into consideration regarding your security camera video. Authenticity A digital watermark is undetectable to the human eye, but it can…
What Matters in a Fire Alarm Inspection?
At FSS Technologies, we understand that safety and reliability are paramount when it comes to fire alarm systems. While installing commercial fire safety systems is a critical first step in protecting your business, your efforts can’t stop there. Fire alarm inspections are just as necessary to ensure your building is prepared for emergencies. Learn about what…
Has My Home Security System Been Hacked?
With more DIY security systems than ever available with the touch of a button, families around the world are choosing to protect their homes with easy to install cameras and alarms. The expert team at FSS Technologies aims to help homeowners make the right choice for their families when selecting a home security system. A…
What to Know About Smart Locks
Smart locks have been on the market for several years and continually gain features as technology advances. Learn how useful they can be and how to find the best option for your home or business. What’s a smart lock? Smart locks are door locks controlled digitally. These locks can be monitored and controlled by an…
How to Deter Burglars From Your Business
Burglaries are often considered crimes of opportunity, leaving businesses struggling to recover in the aftermath. Although there is no all-powerful solution to protect your business, you can implement various preventative measures that bolster your security efforts. Here are 5 actions you can take to help deter burglars from casing and breaking into your business. 1….
Can I Install a Security System with Monitoring in my Apartment?
The most recent FBI data estimates that there are over 1.2 million burglaries a year, resulting in around $3.4 billion in property loss. Although property crime as a whole has been on the decline, the rise in popularity of video doorbells and more comprehensive and integrated home security systems shows that Americans are no less…
Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras
Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…
Can a Security System Save My Business Money?
If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of weighing the pros and cons of major purchases before making them. A commercial security system is one of the higher-ticket items that can cause the most significant hesitation. While they can take large investments to purchase, install, and maintain, security systems can offer long-term savings…
Can You Get a Discount on Home Insurance if You Have a Security System?
Home invasions or burglaries are a threat to any household, regardless of where they are located. One of the biggest deterrents for burglars is a home security system that could record evidence of their actions or could notify the authorities at the time of a break-in. This is a huge motivator for homeowners when deciding…