| The issues surrounding an apartment home security | | | | movements will trigger an alert to your home security |
| system are not terribly different form those | | | | system. |
| surrounding an independent home. On some levels, you | | | | 3. Who are the people living around you? Neighbors |
| might say they are simply more so. While with a | | | | can be your greatest allies, but at time they can be |
| detached home you need to establish a quality home | | | | your worst enemies. You will have little to fear from a |
| alarm system and back it up with a variety of other | | | | neighbor breaking into your apartment (for obvious |
| burglar deterrents, apartment residents could face | | | | reasons), but you may have plenty to fear from their |
| dangers from their neighbors, or from a management | | | | carelessness, or that of the people who come and go |
| company not up to the task. Here are some issues for | | | | through their apartment. Even though it may look as if |
| any apartment owner or renter to address to stay | | | | your security plan is well managed, you might be let |
| safe. | | | | down by the lack thereof next door. Get to know your |
| 1. How far can you go in an alarm setup? When you | | | | neighbors so you know who you can trust and who |
| live in apartment - especially as a renter - you are | | | | you need to keep at arm's length. |
| going to have limitations on how far you can go with | | | | 4. Have you considered the effect of the lighting? |
| your home alarm installation. Setting up a wired system | | | | Something as simple as quality lighting can be a great |
| will be out of the question, and in most cases it will be | | | | home security tool in an apartment. Setting up light |
| entirely unnecessary. Opt for a wireless alarm in these | | | | timers will keep thieves guessing as they figure the |
| cases. Even if you pick up and move at the end of | | | | odds of taking a stab at your apartment or moving on |
| your one-year lease, you can simply carry the alarm | | | | down the lane. All it takes is a bit of doubt for you to |
| along with you to the next apartment. It's one question | | | | gain the edge in this battle of wits. |
| you won't have to answer in your new home. | | | | 5. How are the locks you have inherited? It may come |
| 2. Where does the balcony lead? Balconies are very | | | | as a surprise that most homes are robbed after an |
| popular places for burglars to come and go in | | | | inadequate lock is picked and bypassed with ease. If |
| apartment buildings. For one thing, they have access to | | | | you have inherited locks in your apartment that are |
| a sliding door which is one of the easiest things to fall | | | | less than professional grade, make the switch on your |
| off track and lose its ability to protect. The solution in | | | | own. No management company can balk at your |
| this case is to have a door sensor installed - | | | | safety concerns. |
| preferable a recessed contact - so unplanned | | | | |