How To Protect Your Apartment From Burglaries

Apartment buildings can be home to hundreds of people and may come equipped with buzzers, ID-enabled entry systems or doormen.

But those features may result in a false sense of security, says DeeDee Dalton, managing director of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). After all, apartment buildings have multiple points of entry and a lot of strangers coming and going—from service people to friends of residents—so it can be easy for burglars to gain access and blend in, she says.

And when they do, they’re quick. “Most burglars want to be in and out in just a few minutes,” she says.

Here’s how to help keep apartment burglars at bay.

Lock Up

This may seem obvious, but 60 percent of all successful residential robberies happen through unlocked doors and windows, says the NCPC. Be sure to lock the door to your apartment, whether you’re at home or not, advises Dalton, and ask your landlord to install deadbolt locks (as well as a peephole on your front door). Remember to keep your windows locked as well, especially if you live on the ground floor or in the basement. And if you have sliding glass doors, invest in a dowel or steel bar you can slide into the door track for added security.

Safeguard Your Key

Upon moving in, request a lock change and monitor your spare keys. Whenever possible, avoid giving keys to anyone doing maintenance or renovation work in your home, says Dalton. And don’t let workers or other strangers into your apartment if you or someone you trust can’t be present.

Be Neighborly

Getting to know your neighbors allows for you to watch out for one another’s apartments. If you’re going out of town, hold your mail and have friends or a trusted neighbor check on your apartment while you’re away. And consider joining or organizing an Apartment Watch group so that neighbors in your building can look out for and help one another.

Play with the Lights

“Lighting is one of the best deterrents to nighttime burglary,” says Dalton. When you’re away for long stretches, consider using a timer to turn inside lights on and off. “This is where smart-home tech comes in really handy, as smart lightbulbs can be programmed and turned off and on from afar with a smartphone app,” says Emily Long, a home-security expert.

Consider a Security System

A wireless security system could be appealing as a renter; it’s more portable than an installed system, and your lease may prohibit you from drilling into walls and hooking up wires. “They are often simple and easy to set up yourself, and are available in basic packages for smaller spaces,” says Long. “Look for a system with 24/7 monitoring, which will alert help if suspicious activity, or any type of emergency, is detected.” Similarly, you can set up security cameras that can be monitored via smartphone and alert the authorities when triggered. Plus, having a security system could help save you money on renters insurance.

Ask Management to Help

If your building has a doorman or a front desk staff, be sure there’s a system to log visitors as they come in (if not, suggest it). If there’s no staff, ask to have a security camera installed in the lobby. Having these measures in place may help deter burglars, Long says. “Plus, the more security measures a building has in place, the more information tenants and landlords have available in case something happens.”

Hide the Good Stuff

Put cash, checkbooks, credit cards, jewelry, and other valuables in a safe place and store your laptop or tablet out of sight. “There are a number of clever options for discreet storage, like faux wall outlets, vents, and even cereal boxes,” says Long. But the simplest option is a home safe that bolts to a floor or wall, perhaps in a closet, she advises.

Dress Up Your Windows

If you’re on the ground or first floor, installing curtains or blinds could prevent burglars from peering in to scope out your space. “If windows are easily visible from the outside, close the blinds,” Long advises. “For windows that are less visible or on higher floors, leave the blinds open to allow timed lights to shine through.”

Be Alert

Always be aware of solicitors and delivery people lingering in your building; take note of suspicious behavior and alert the police and your landlord or management right away, says Dalton.

By Stacey Colino

Link to the article: https://www.geico.com/more/living/home-protection/apartment-security/

Related articles: https://stealthmonitor.wordpress.com/2017/11/17/apartment-protection-system-leads-police/

For further assistance in home securiy, click here for more: http://www.sanjacintolocksmith.net/

Article source here: How To Protect Your Apartment From Burglaries

Garage Door Spring System vs. Pulley System

If you are in Union City, GA and have questions about spring systems versus pulley systems, be sure to reach out to Garage Door Masters. There are so many different parts and terminology when it comes to how a garage door operates that it can become quite confusing. To put it briefly, extension springs count on a system that consists of garage door pulleys and cables to do their job, which is to safely open the garage door and of course to close it. This is the most basic information to consider if you are curious about springs and pulleys. But here, we will go into more detail so you have a better idea of how all of the parts work. It is good to know how your garage door works – this way, if something goes wrong, you will have a better idea of how to fix it. In addition, you might want to know more about actual pulley systems – this is something that some homeowners attempt to build on their own, and there is sometimes confusion when looking for pulley parts versus systems.

Check it out!

“Garage door springs” is a term that usually refers to extension springs or torsion springs. If you know anything about springs, you might know that they are connected to a lot of tension – they have to support a great deal of weight. Basically, your garage door is very heavy, weighing hundreds of pounds quite often – and the springs have to be able to support it. Therefore, they have to be in good shape, all of the time.
All parts work together in sync so that you can enjoy a garage door that stays in place, and opens and closes safely and smoothly. Some parts are more dangerous than others, however, if they break. Springs are critical to overall functioning.

Pulley System

If you do a search online, you can find videos on how to create a garage pulley storage system. You can find information on how to hang certain items from your garage ceiling. Let’s just say, things can get confusing if you are just trying to figure out how different components work. If you search on Google, you will find that Amazon has different options, like garage “gators” and platforms, as well as hoists. You will find parts that are meant to build a DIY pulley system. So, why would one want to create a pulley system, anyway? This is something that many homeowners toy around with because they need more garage space. Let’s face it – nowadays, people tend to acquire a lot of items, and space is limited. Unless you have a mansion that you live in, a shed to store all of your tools, a garage to store your cars, and then an extra storage unit, you likely will find yourself running out of space. Even if you do have all of these things, this is still often times the case! You can utilize the convenience of a pulley system to attach a platform to the ceiling of your garage, which will thereby create more storage space for you. Best of all, this storage space will not be in the way – it won’t take up any additional room in the garage. If you consider yourself a very handy person who has experience with DIY projects, then you might attempt to build your own pulley system. This will entail using lumber, a storage platform, 2 by 4s, wood screws, plywood and more. If you aren’t comfortable working with all of these different materials, then your best bet is to hire a professional service or contractor.

Garage Door Spring System

Spring systems can consist of the following terms: extension springs, tension springs, torsion springs, EZ set springs and more. When talking about spring systems, the reference is typically to any springs that make the garage door operate. The springs tend to be located either above the opening of the garage door or sometimes at the ends of the tracks. It all merely depends on the types of springs that your garage door is using. If you’re going to install a pulley system for storage, then you want to know how to work with springs, and you will want to know how important it is to cautiously work with them. For this reason, people often times turn to an expert when they have questions about pulley systems versus spring systems.

If you pull up spring systems online, you’re going to find terminology such as single Ez-set torsion spring replacement, OEM torsion springs, extension springs, Wayne Dalton torquemaster garage door spring, and more. This can make finding what you are looking for confusing, which is why it is always recommended that you speak directly to an expert. Most will offer a free consultation over the phone, allowing you to get all of the information that you are looking for, without any pressure to make a purchase or schedule a service.

Hopefully you have a better idea of how pulleys and springs work to make your garage door function smoothly – and it is our hope that you understand why people build pulley systems for their garage space. It is always a wise idea to turn to an expert when you are dealing with parts that you aren’t very familiar with. It is always best to leave certain things in the hands of experts who understand what they are doing, and who are licensed and insured to ensure your property is protected.

Thanks for checking out more information about spring systems and pulley systems. Remember to call Garage Door Masters in Union City, Georgia if you happen to be in the area and have any questions. Located elsewhere? Do a search through Google and pull up garage door repair and service companies in your city. You are sure to find a lot of options.

Advertisements

Article source here: Garage Door Spring System vs. Pulley System