Security Isn’t Just For Homeowners - Ten Ways to Keep Your Flat Safe and Secure

Homeowners are often more concerned about security than flat-dwellers. However, its easier for a flat to be robbed than a houseand its not just because homeowners are more likely to invest in security systems. Many flat-dwellers live in buildings with door attendants, and have a false sense of security as a result. Despite this, so many more people enter and leave the buildingits easy to tell who the intruder is in your home, but its more difficult when it comes to a block of flats. To make things tougher, many security measures require modifications that flat-dwellers arent authorized to make.

However, all is not lost. There are some basic steps you can take to make your flat more secure. Here are a few suggestions.

Dont assume you have nothing to steal. You may think you dont have much of valuebut burglars dont know that. They typically go after the easiest home to break into, not the one with the most stuff. If you assume nobody would be interested in robbing you, you may treat your security a little more casually than you should.

Never leave your door or windows open. How many times have you just popped down to the laundry and left the door unlocked? Hopefully, never. But many of us are casual about flat security. Theres a tendency to feel that since our home doesnt open to the outside, were safer. But in the five minutes it takes you to run to the soda machine, a thief could be in and out of your flat. Never leave your windows unlocked when youre not home, eithereven if you live in a high-rise, your windows are probably adjacent to someone elses. You never know how determined a thief will be to get into your flat.

Dont let in anyone you dont know. Burglars often try all the buzzers in a building, looking for the kind soul wholl believe their story about forgetting their keys. Dont fall for it. If a repairman tries to get you to let him in, ask to see an ID and work order.

Dont leave your full name on your nameplate. Particularly if youre female. Some criminals target women because they believe theyre easier victims. If you have a nameplate by your buzzer, simply write your last nameor include only an initial.

Buy a freestanding safe. If you rent a flat, chances are you wont be able to install a wall or floor safeand your landlord might not look kindly on your efforts to bolt a freestanding safe into the floor. However, if you have any valuables that are worth significant cash, you should still store them in a safe. Look for a small freestanding safe, and find a good place in your apartment to conceal it.

Dont let anyone in after you. Burglars often get into buildings by waiting by the door and following a resident inside. Watch out for anyone hanging out by the doorand dont let them follow you through.

Change your locks after moving in. A reputable landlord will do this as part of the process of changing one tenant for another. But not all landlords are reputable. Just to be safe, change the lock on your door so that former tenants cant get into your flat.

Block your peephole. If there is no peephole in the door, you should get one installed. However, you should also be aware that anyone outside can look through your peephole. They wont be able to see you, but they can see light and movement inside. To block the light, screw a small piece of leather or plastic over the peephole with a short screw or a tack. When looking through, simply move your face close to the peephole to block the light, then slide the piece of leather or plastic away from the hole.

Be cautious in elevators. Check out whos in the elevator before you get on. If something seems off about the person in the elevator, dont get on. Its fine to get off a few floors early if someone you dont trust gets on with you. Know where the emergency alarm button is in every elevator in your building.

Dont let your mail build up when youre away. If youre going on holiday, have the post office hold your mail until you returnor ask a trusted friend to collect it. Burglars can be observant, and often watch a place for days before making a move. Theyd prefer to break into a place while youre away, and a buildup of mail is one of the signs they look for.

If you live in a flat, chances are good that youll experience at least one break-in. But you dont have toif you take the right precautions. Follow these steps, and your flat can be a safe, secure haven.

A Neary is director at The Safe Shop online retailer of safes and fire protection security devices for home and business. Visit http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk/ for a range of quality security and fire safes.

Tips for Choosing a Home Security Company
Choosing a home security company to provide your security system may seem daunting but it really isnt more complicated than most other choices that ho...

Feel Protected When You’re Away With A Home Security System
There are numerous home security system companies that are flooding the market, offering business owners and families many different types of security...

Is Your Home an Open House for Thieves?
A recent look into the security of our homes has shown that many homeowners are almost leaving the door open and the welcome mat for thieves to enter ...

Home Security Alarm
A home ensures security. Various home security systems are established to provide us protection from burglars, intruders and also from natural hazards...

Home Security and the Old Fashioned Safe
There are many aspects to home security, when most people think about this subject what usually springs to mind is hi tech burglar alarms, surveillanc...

Protect Your Home With A Security Dog
Alarms are not the only way that you can protect your home. There are so many electronic security devices to choose from these days and one of them is...

Home Security System Products For Contractors
Many people will be turned off by the idea of building a house if their contractors cannot offer some kind of security system in their standard servic...

Getting a Home Alarm System vs Getting a Dog and a Gun
Recently the crime rate has been going down in my area. They say it is because of better crime-fighting techniques and greater police presence, but t...

Safes Keep Things Safe
We all have things in our life that are extremely important. The thing is that most of us take these very important documents and items and stick the...

Night Vision Security Camera - Do You Really Need One?
A night vision security camera may sound like something our law enforcement officials would only use, but it is more commonly used by home and busines...

Outdoor Home Security Camera Systems Help Prevent Vandalism
Outdoor Home Security Camera Systems are the most popular type of system for home security system installations. These systems allow homeowners to vi...

Burglary Prevention for Your Home
Keep all sensitive and important documents locked away in a file cabinet or a safe. These may include (but are not limited to) social security cards...

Home Security Surveillance Camera - Why Are They So Popular?
Home security surveillance cameras have become one of the hottest products in the home security industry. And for good reason, we all want to be safe ...

The Necessary Home and Business Security System Plan
Malicious mischief and Burglary of personal property and business valuable is one of the escalating worries nowadays. Installation of a home and busin...

Sentry Safes - Keeping Your Home Safe From Gun Accidents and Theft
A safe, also called a strong box is a secure lockable box. It is used saving valuable objects against theft, wear and tear or damage. A safe is usuall...