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
Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?
The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…
How Savance Workplace Can Work for You
Savance Workplace is one of the nation’s leaders in workforce management solutions, offering tools that help declutter your company’s processes and optimize your productivity. With a wide variety of fully customizable products branded for your business, Savance Workplace can help your organization take its efficiency to the next level. As a trusted partner of Savance…
What Is Alarm.com?
How Does Alarm.com Work? Alarm.com is a cloud-based service that allows customers to manage their security alarms and home automation systems remotely. Alarm.com does not manufacture security components, like alarm panels and cameras. Instead, its cutting-edge software is integrated into hardware systems provided by highly regarded manufacturers. What sets Alarm.com apart? Alarm.com Products Alarm.com’s partnership…
Spring Cleaning Your Security System
The unofficial countdown to summer begins for many of us each year as we “spring forward” into daylight saving time, moving the clock forward one hour to give us an extra hour of sunlight at the end of every day. Since this is the time of the year when we change our clocks, it is important…
How to Hide a Camera in Plain Sight
Hidden Security Cameras When it comes to security cameras, you can choose whether you want them installed in visible locations or have them hidden within your building. There are two different perspectives with this topic. Keep them in plain sight to deter crimes from occurring. Thieves are less likely to target your home or business if they…
Code Requirements for Commercial Fire Alarms
The International Code Council The purpose of commercial property is for business or retail use, and the International Code Council (ICC) is a nonprofit association that develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient structures. The fire codes vary depending on the type of business you run. For example,…
How Fast Can Fire Spread?
What Is Fire? Fire is the result of a chemical reaction called oxidation. Oxidation is the combination of oxygen with another substance. In the case of a fire, the oxidation happens so quickly that light, heat, and sound are released. A fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel to burn. These factors are frequently referred to…
Holiday Safety Tips for Homes and Businesses
With the holiday season right around the corner, burglars are on the lookout for unguarded homes or businesses to prey on. Unlike the Grinch, holiday robbers don’t often have a heart that grows three sizes, making it more important than ever to protect your valuables and your loved ones. Our security experts have come up…
Reasons to Choose a Local Security Company
Whether you’re considering investing in a home or commercial security system or switching providers, you may be weighing local and national companies. Which companies can you trust? Is there a difference in service between your options? Does a larger company necessarily mean better service? There are pros and cons to both sizes of company, but…
Theft Prevention Tips for Businesses
Theft, unfortunately, can take a wide variety of forms. Theft in a retail business might include the loss of physical property from shoplifting or can come in the form of embezzlement. In the retail sector, a 2019 National Retail Security Survey reported the average cost per shoplifting incident is $546.67. According to the 2018 Hiscox…