Burglars are opportunistic criminals. That means they'll strike when and where they think they have the best chance of getting away with breaking into your home and stealing your stuff. If you live in an apartment building, there's a much higher risk that someone will break in. After all, there are so many windows and doors to enter through! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect your home from burglars. Follow these tips to keep yourself and your valuables safe from intruders.
Cover your windows
If someone can see into your apartment, they can plan the best way to break in. Covering your windows with drapes or curtains is one of the simplest ways to prevent break-ins. Avoid sheer drapes or curtains that don't block out light unless you are comfortable with people seeing straight into your home. If you have large windows, you can use curtains with a heavy fabric to block out light and make it harder for people to see inside your home. Burglars may break a window to get into a first-floor apartment, but rarely break windows on upper floors.
Use a video security system.
A video security system is a great way to protect your apartment from burglars. These systems have highly evolved from their early days as clunky devices. Most modern security systems are completely wireless and easy to install yourself. A good video security system can help you identify intruders and even let you speak to them through a speaker. This can be enough to scare off most burglars without the authorities ever being called. A video surveillance system comes with a control panel you can use to monitor your home. It's best to place these panels in a central location like a kitchen or living room, where they can easily be seen. You can even install an app on your phone to view your cameras remotely.
Install automatic lighting
A motion-activated light is a great way to deter burglars. These lights turn on whenever they sense movement or detect changes in heat or sound. They're usually solar-powered, so you don't need an electrical outlet to install them. You can also create a light path to your front door by installing lights along your walkway. This way, burglars won't be able to lurk in the shadows outside your home. Ensure you keep your lights on during the day to make your home look occupied. If you have a yard, consider installing a solar-powered outdoor floodlight. A well-lit yard will make it difficult for burglars to break in unnoticed. And if you keep your outdoor lights on all day, it will look like you're home even when you're not.
Secure internal and external doors
Make it harder for burglars to break in by securing all your doors. This includes the doors leading to your garage, the doors into your apartment, and even interior doors between rooms. You can install door locks, or door stops to secure your doors. Most apartment buildings use a keyed entry system, so make sure you get a master key with your apartment. This key will open every door in the building so you can go in and out without needing to ring a bell. It's also a good idea to write down the make and model of your door locks. This way, if you lock yourself out of your apartment, you'll know exactly what type of key you need to get back in. If you use intercom systems for buildings, use it to let people in after checking their identity via the video feed.
Conclusion
If you take a few simple steps, you can protect your home from burglars. Cover your windows with heavy curtains and make sure all doors are locked at all times. Use a video surveillance system to monitor your home and make sure you keep your lights on during the day. Follow these tips, and your home will be much less appealing to burglars.
