All of us want to feel safe when we first move into an apartment but there may be some hidden dangers that you are unaware of. With some simple modifications, however, you can change your unsafe apartment into more of a fortress of security!
This advice comes from Marianna Harrison, a Texas real estate agent. According to her, the front door latch is one of the most vulnerable parts of any apartment. Typically, the screws that hold the latch in place are only 1/2 inches long. A single kick from a burglar or anyone trying to gain entry could easily knock the screws out and the door will fly open.
To avoid this problem and secure the door tighter than Fort Knox, remove the small screws and replace them with 4 inch screws. It will be almost impossible for anyone to kick the door in once the longer screws are in place.
Check out the size difference in these screws!
My dad gave me this advice a long time ago when I moved into my first apartment. He even came out and changed the screws…
Posted by Mariana Harrison – Realtor on Saturday, January 23, 2016
Here are some additional tips. These come from Michael Frazier, a former criminal and taking his advice can help you to avoid burglary attempts at your home.
1. “Never leave your keys under flower pots, bricks or mats – these are the first places a burglar will look, especially if it appears such places have been disturbed.”
2. “Photograph valuable items in your home and take a note of their serial numbers. Should you be burgled it helps with remembering items that have been taken and could help recover them.”
3. “Don’t just leave the bathroom light on, as many burglars feel confident enough to enter if they think the owner is taking a bath or shower.”
FBI data shows that 60% of burglaries involve a forced entry. 30% of those break-ins were considered unlawful, which means that they did not require force to break in.
Make sure you share this important information with others