How to Make Your Apartment Safe and Secure From Intruders

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By youknowwhat
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Make Your Apartment Safe and Secure From Intruders

Here's how to secure an apartment against intruders even if you're in a not-so-great neighborhood.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer, etc.
3/16 in. drill
12 penny (d) nails
Desk lamp
Door alarm

Step 1

Purchase a Door Alarm Motion Sensor online or at a local security products store. It just hangs on the knob and alerts you when anyone touches the outside of the knob. No installation - just hang it on the knob. Get one for each outside door.(About $25@)
Step 2

Secure double-hung windows by drilling a 3/16 in. hole in the frame center, where they overlap. Push a double-headed 12d nail into the hole. (Tell the hardware store person what you're doing and they'll know what you need and explain it further, if necessary).
Step 3

Ask the landlord to beef up outside lighting so it floods the entry way as much as possible. More light is better. Even a desk lamp shining out through a window will help. Put high wattage bulbs in the outside light fixtures and keep them on all night. Solar powered outside lights need no wiring and can be taken with you when you leave.
Step 4

Each outside door needs a strong deadbolt lock door chain fastener. Don't rent a place without them. If you've already rented, ask the landlord to install them. If he/she won't, pay to have it done yourself. Intruders like to kick doors in to gain entry and most older structures are vulnerable. Newer buildings are likely to have sturdier doors.
Step 5

Place something underneath your first floor windows that would be difficult to climb over, such as workout equipment, a glass top coffee table or else block the window off with tall furniture. Not sightly but effective. Any windows hidden from the street or neighbors would be the prime target for an intruder.
Step 6

Make sure all windows have a covering to prevent anyone from seeing in. Keep them covered. A peek inside tells the intruder what is worth stealing and if anyone is home. It also lets him know the layout of your apartment and whether the occupant is male or female.
Step 7

If feasible, a dog is an excellent deterrent. Even a small dog makes noise and every intruder hates noise and the delay that a dog will cause him. Be humane and don't get a dog if you're gone most of the time. It will need care and commitment and expenses will be a constant.
Step 8

Don't put your name on the bell or mailbox if possible. Put a small sticker instead and tell your visitors to look for that. If you must display your name, use your last name only, misspell it slightly and add a military title in front of it, such as "PFC" or "Sgt."
Step 9

Make the apartment always look occupied. When you leave, leave the TV on. Leave a note on the door saying "Gone to store. Be right back." Put a timer on several lamps to turn them on and off at odd times when you're away.