Apartment living is the way of the future. There are now more than 6 billion people in the world, but unfortunately our floor space isn’t expanding as fast as the population … so apartment living will be the solution. In terms of security, apartment living has some distinct advantages, and also some distinct disadvantages. Today we look at how apartment dwellers should modify their security strategies, including elements like back to base alarm monitoring and CCTV camera systems as well as more basic elements.

Safety in Numbers

Burglars often target apartment complexes because there are dozens of homes within a very small space, each of them potentially very rich in goods that can be quickly, and untraceably, converted to cash.

This can work both for and against apartment dwellers. It may attract burglars who wouldn’t have otherwise come to your home … but it also means that if your apartment is more difficult to break into than another one, yours will be left alone. Simple steps like deadlocks, or even the signage you get when you sign up for back to base alarm monitoring can easily deter a burglar when there are so many other homes so close by.

Now, to encourage your neighbours to sign up for home security monitoring also!

Look Over Your Shoulder …

It is also critical to protect any outside portion of your apartment from burglar access. Balconies and small courtyards often have glass sliding doors to access the apartment … and glass sliding doors are notorious for being an easy way in for burglars.

Remember also that windows are a common weak point in apartment security – they are left unlocked or open far more often than doors.

 Should I Choose a Good Neighbourhood?

A good neighbourhood actually about the same protection form burglary as any other. Most burglars come from areas that are struggling socioeconomically, and they don’t tend to burgle where they live. However, your personal safety is likely to be far higher in a ‘good’ neighbourhood.

Complex-Wide Apartment Security vs Individual Protection

It is a very good idea to consider the safety of an apartment block before you decide to move into it. However, complex-wide security is not a good replacement for a back to base alarm service, or even a CCTV camera system, installed on your own property and designed to protect your own family and home!

Complex-wide security cameras will try to cover many angles at once, usually making any footage that is obtained too small, too grainy, or the wrong angle to see a perpetrator. Additionally, complex-wide security can’t protect your apartment from people who have an authorisation code to enter the building generally. So fellow tenants, tenants’ girlfriends or boyfriends, and their children’s friends may all be allowed to enter the block – the perimeter security is not useful in protecting your home against them.

Apartments allow restricted access to the area around your home, but good back to base alarm monitoring is still essential.

Thieves always look for easy targets. Homes and commercial properties that offer minimal perimeter security are attractive options for the lazy criminal brain. The job for property owners is to ensure their home or business is not a sitting duck, ripe for the picking by opportunistic but often amateurish thieves. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity by thieves looking for an easy way to get inside. Today we look at smart ways to protect the perimeters of your home.

Take stock of your property entry points

Make an inventory of all the access points around your home or business. Stand outside your property and note your fencing, your gates, garage doors, patio doors, windows and even your roof. Drawing a diagram of your property can help with this process.

Doors and windows

Check the quality of doors – timber or metal doors should be solid enough to provide a barrier between you and any unwanted intruders. Reinforced door frames are harder for thieves to kick-in. Quality locks and deadlocks and sliding bolts are a strong deterrent. Windows should have security screens and locks. Bars and grilles can be added and have moved beyond functionality to also appear decorate. Statistics show doors and windows are the most common points of entry for thieves – if they use them make sure they can’t do it quietly and easily!

Roofs

Commercial properties in particular are often vulnerable through roofs and ceilings. Make sure the roof of your premises is not easily accessible by way of containers, ladders, wheelie bins, trellising or any other climbing material left nearby. Secure roof tiles or iron cladding. A monitored burglar alarm system is a must – it takes longer to enter from a roof and help can be on hand in time to prevent the loss of property.

Fencing

Ten-foot high barbwire fences may well keep out unwanted intruders but they simply are not an option for most homes and business premises. Make use of attractive, keyless entry electric gates by all means, but often a well planned, open front yard can work in your favour, allowing a clear view of your property (and security provisions!)

Lighting and visibility

We all want our homes to be a private sanctuary but security lighting such as outdoor sensor lights are a real deterrent to would-be thieves. They let anyone indoors know that something or someone is moving about outside and also give any neighbours or passers-by a chance to notice any suspicious activity. Also be aware of trees or large shrubs that might provide cover for anyone lurking around.

Mounted alarm systems and cameras

Mount monitored burglar alarm security systems around the front of your home or business to put would-be thieves on notice – and make them think again! These systems not just give the appearance of a well-protected property but also ensure burglars do not have the luxury of a leisurely robbery. Expert security will be on hand fast!

It is not necessarily desirable or even possible to turn your home or business premises into a fortress, but with quality doors, windows, screens, roofing and lighting your property will not be easy pickings!

Certain professions in our society tend to be innately trusted. Nurses, doctors and sometimes even lawyers are all trusted and respected by default … and another of those professions is the home security industry. Every genuine business in the home security industry is here to protect you from people that care very little about your interests … but unfortunately there are plenty of businesses who capitalise on that fact using various types of home security monitoring, back to base alarm and CCTV camera system frauds and scams. We look at some common types of scams today, as well as how you can protect yourself from them.

The Burglar Disguised as a Home Security Consultant

The ‘job’ of a burglar is so much easier if they know the layout of a house in advance … and many know it will be especially easy if the homeowners believe that they have a fully functional alarm system installed, but the ‘back to base alarm’ consultant has actually tampered with it somehow.

Protect yourself by:

• Never letting door-to-door salesmen into the home (even if they appear to be from a security company)
• Not buying back to base security systems from people who push their services on you unsolicited without checking their credentials. Have a look at their website, check on their security license with the issuing body, or simply call back the office and see how they answer the phone!
• Asking for back to base alarms from reputable suppliers

The Dodgy Back to Base Alarm Contract

Contracts are quite standard practice across the home security monitoring industry – although Pacific Security Technology believes we should keep our customers through good service, not legal contracts, many other companies don’t feel the same.

If you choose to go with a company that works on a contract system, be aware that just as with contracts in any area of life, you need to read them carefully and be aware of what you are signing. A home security sales company in the UK was found cold calling people and offering back to base alarm systems for 1 British pound … then having the customers sign contracts for up to £6000.

Protect yourself by:

• Always reading contracts carefully!
• Checking on credentials before you sign with any particular security company

The Home Security “Upgrade”

In a variant of the ‘burglar dressed as a security consultant’ scam, people in the US have knocked on doors claiming to be from the owner’s back to base alarm monitoring company, saying that your security system is due for an upgrade. They then install an inferior system and bill you for it; or they simply disable it and burgle your home.

Protect yourself by:

• Not putting back to base alarm monitoring stickers on your windows
• Following all of the above good advice!

The Non-Cancelled Service

In Chicago, a company was recently penalised for not cancelling home security monitoring contracts when asked by consumers – this was ultimately seen as carrying on misleading business, because their cancellation policy was deceptive.

Protect yourself by:

• Choosing a company that doesn’t use contracts!
• Making sure you know the ins and outs of your contract, if you choose to have one

Unfortunately, the world we live in means that you need to undertake your own checks on the authenticity of companies. At Pacific Security Technology we’ll also endeavour to keep you updated on our local security scams also!