Whether looking to downscale to a new place or moving into your first flat, there are several easy steps you can take to ensure your safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLiving in an apartment block brings some unique challenges to consider when looking at security ideas. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to make sure that no unwanted visitors can gain access to your personal space,\u201d says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications for armed response company Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most crimes are opportunistic acts, she adds. It means criminals look for what they perceive as easy or \u201csoft\u201d targets. In an apartment block they could potentially make it all the way to right to your front door with no-one noticing their presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA key difference between a security plan for a house and one for a flat is the number of access or exit points,\u201d Hattingh points out. \u201cThe physical nature of an apartment means there are fewer access and exit points to secure than an average house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you move into your new block carefully consider where in the building your flat will be located. A corner apartment on the ground floor, for example, carries the risk of being broken into from the two sides of exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By having neighbours on either side it means you would most likely have to worry about your front door and the windows as possible access points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNext step in protecting yourself against a criminal is to think like a criminal,\u201d says Hattingh. \u201cThey are looking for easy opportunities, and the advice is to remove those opportunities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never leave valuable items lying around the flat, especially not close to an open window where someone can easily grab it and run away. A small safe for the bedroom can hide valuables out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many affordable security systems that could be purchased in shops, which offer basic alert and detection functionality. \u201cThese systems will at least make a noise if anyone enters your apartment, whereas a professional system will alert armed response companies to come your aid,\u201d says Hattingh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A CCTV camera or even a device that transmits a video feed to your cellphone can add another layer of security, and potentially serve as a deterrent. The same can be said for wireless video doorbells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your neighbour, says Hattingh, is also an important ally in keeping the building safe. \u201cThis type of \u2018buddy system\u2019 means you can look out for one another, especially if an apartment is standing empty during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also recommends talking to the body corporate before you move in, to find out what other security measures have been installed such as access control at the main entrance. If needed, they could invite an armed response company to visit the building and carry out a security assessment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whether looking to downscale to a new place or moving into your first flat, there are several easy steps you can take to ensure your 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