Whether you live in an apartment or a condominium, security and safety have become important concerns these days. Your apartment is your home, your refuge and shelter from the pressures of living in a crowded and busy world. You should not be fearful coming or going to your apartment and you should definitely not be fearful while living there. Your family and your own well-being need to feel safe and secure, and a well-designed apartment security system will make a huge difference. Here are a few safety tips to help you decide what kind of apartment security system is right for you.
Apartment or condo security systems are not very different from a typical home security system. The major difference is in the landlord installed security systems and your personal security system.
What should your security considerations be when renting apartment? First, how about your safety and security? These two items go together, with safety concerns including such mundane things as fire and smoke alarms, GFI receptacles, sound stairways and adequate lighting in hallways, entryways and around the exterior of the building. Lighting should be considered as very important, especially in parking areas, laundry rooms and stairwells.
A good place to start security concerns is renting an apartment with an on-site manager. An on-site manager knows the tenants, the visitors and the security issues, if any. Be sure to ask many questions about the tenants and their social habits. Ask if the building is equipped with security alarms that alert the apartment manager when triggered.
Be on guard for any signs of gang activity or drug trafficking. Spend some time in the lobby, if the building has one, observing the coming and going of people. The signs of undesirable behavior will be unmistakable. Moving on, the next consideration should be given to the presence of wireless security cameras in laundry rooms, public areas and garages. In these areas, you are pretty much on your own, so use your head and be aware of what is going on around you at all times.
Home security systems and alarms include door alarms, burglar alarms, fire and smoke alarms, and window alarms. Motions sensors and automatic alerts sent to home security monitoring companies such as Brinks, ADT, and GE home security systems provide home security monitoring for a reasonable monthly fee. In more elaborate and expensive monitoring systems, video security system provides external as well as internal home security surveillance.
Basic apartment security system may consists of deadbolt locks on all entry doors, a peep-hole to see who is on the other side of the door, lockable windows with stops to prevent them being raised fully. If these basic items are not featured in your apartment, it would be advisable to contact to landlord to have your security system upgraded. The landlord may be willing to bear the entire cost of installation, or share a portion. If you pay for the installation of a system, you should check with your landlord to see if you can take the equipment with you when you leave. Generally, equipment installed by a renter becomes a permanent fixture and remains with the apartment after they leave.
More elaborate apartment security systems for the apartment building include security cameras, an onsite manager or even a part-time security guard. Studies have shown that crime in low-income housing can be significantly reduced if one tenant is a member of law-enforcement organization. The presence of a law enforcement officer and police vehicle on the premises sends a clear message to criminals of all kinds.
Keyless entry locks are a secure means of controlling entry to your apartment or condo. They may be a bit on the expensive side, but are better than inexpensive door locks. Keyless entry locks can be installed without too much fuss but be sure to get the landlord's permission before doing so.
Finally, if your apartment is equipped with an intercom system, you should be sure that it properly. Ideally, the lobby area will have a surveillance feed connected directly to your cable television hookup. You should only allow your friends and family access to your apartment. Beware of anyone stating that they are here to see you on important business or with an urgent message from a loved one. A typical scam to gain entry into your apartment involves a claim that someone dear to you has been injured and taken to the hospital.
An apartment security system need not be elaborate or expensive, consisting only of a solid dead bolt and window locks. However, if you are concerned about your safety and security, you may want to purchase a simple alarm system and install it yourself. On the other hand, you could subscribe to a home alarm system with a reliable security provider. An apartment with a high-tech security system may cost more, but the cost may be well worth it. There are few things worse in life than the feeling one gets when opening the door to a ransacked and burglarized apartment.
Your personal security and safety in your apartment or condominium is a serious matter. While most modern apartments are equipped with adequate basic and advanced security systems, older apartments or condos may not be. You should conduct a review of your apartment's doors, locks, windows, intercom, and smoke and fire alarms to ensure that all are in good working order. Work with your landlord to correct any problems and invest in high-tech security systems whenever the likelihood of an unwanted intrusion or burglary is a possibility.