Apartment security?

Reinforced doors and windows, on top of that, you need a smoke machine alarm/security fog system.

 
All combined could work, but some cameras in the ceiling controlled by phone, and an alarm that detects movement are cheaper than a door and proper security windows
 
All combined could work, but some cameras in the ceiling controlled by phone, and an alarm that detects movement are cheaper than a door and proper security windows
It is not cheaper the day they robbed him.
 
Mate you gotta be creative with this one. Cameras can be tricked, alarm systems too. I know as I did it for a living for some time (testing security systems). IMHO if you live alone you should try to reinforce your apartment physically. Make risk assessments based on your neighbourhood. Again, most likely you will be looking out for some low level crook with crowbar looking for easy money.

Go for 2-step way.

1st step: Reinforced doors made by one company and installed by another. Still bars on windows. CCTV and some loud ass alarm system that'll wake up few surrounding counties just as a deterrent
2nd step: Reinforce additionally your computer room so if someone gets in should be surprised by another layer of security. Maybe hide this room with special security door. Seal the windows. Shut them completely with bricks/concrete.


This is just a my two cents on this matter but this will not stop creative thief to break in. They are looking for weakest spots like we do here. Your door can be the strongest one in the world but if wall beside them can be brought down by a single hammer hit they will do nothing good except to give you false sense of security.

If thief decides that he needs 1k to invest to get into your apartment and that it'll get him 10x more he will do it.

Yeah, most likely. But I don't wanna make the assessment based on my neighborhood. I wanna make the assessment based on what allows me to sleep like a baby.

Of course, I'm not trying to live in a bunker, but certain things like having a strong door that a strong dude couldn't possibly kick open. Having an advanced lock that not anyone who knows how to pick locks could open. Having safe windows that someone can't just throw a rock at or kick open and enter. That's what I'm thinking.

A reinforced door definitely. But I have no idea what kind of a door I have. Considering it was put in by the company that built the building, I would imagine they cut costs on everything they could and my door is made of, well, something that an adult man can break open if he really cared to. So I need to check my door. Great. How the hell do I do that haha. I could ask the guy that sold me the apartment for the specific brand of door etc, but in my experience you ask these people something and you get very superficial answers. And if you want depth, jesus help you. Could be worth a shot.

Steel bars on windows is a great fucking idea actually. I didn't think of that. I probably didn't think of it because I don't wanna live in something that resembles a prison. However, maybe I could have steel bars which I can open and close somehow. And then when I'm here I can have them open, or one of them open, and when I leave the house for an hour, a day, a week, a month, whatever, I can bring them down. Not sure if that's possible.

I'd put in a camera or a few, but not as a deterrent, so not visible. I'd put them invisible. That way no one is thinking I'm hiding something valuable and may be worth trying to get in, but also no one is thinking there's a camera, so if they do try to get in they may not hide their faces, and then we can assassinate them later :p

I don't want an alarm. They sometimes go off without reason. Imagine I'm sleeping and I wake up to that. Fuck that. No bueno senor :D

How did you know I have a computer room? Did I mention something? o_O

But I do have a computer room. And that's another great idea which I didn't think of. Because the truth is, there ain't nothing to rob in my very small and cozy bedroom. What are they gonna take, the mattress? The pillow cases? Or the small lamp? And then the bathroom, the same deal. They gonna take the washing machine or my extra mouthwash? I doubt it. The hall, they can get some old shoes I guess, I'll be glad to be rid of a few pairs lol. The living room, well, they could get some shit but it's either taking a huge fridge or dishwashing machine, or taking small little things like a blender or spoons or whatever. Maybe they could take something that holds emotional value for me, but I wouldn't really lose anything that would shorten my lifespan. The computer room is the only room where I would really suffer if someone came in and took some shit.

Additionally reinforcing the computer room is definitely something to consider. I mean, bars on the window and an unbreakable door would do it. The door I have now could probably be kicked open by a 13 year old. Just a basic indoors door, wood.

You've given me things to think about, thanks :)

Get a boa as your pet. Let everyone know that you have one.
Most people fear snakes.

Source: My friend has a boa.

#TongueInCheek

I'll get 5 of them. I'll put 1 in each room. Let them roam free.

Good? :D

Question 0 - What kind of work do you do?

Question 1 - What city do you live in ?

Question 2 - What PART of that city do you live in.

Question 3 - How far is your apartment from your job (how far do you commute?)

Question 4 - How much do you pay for rent?

Only after answering these questions can preliminary ideas be shared on security.

Please share data

Sincerely,

The Eye

Let's see here...

0 - The internet of things
1 - A city, in the Balkans. Not a major one, not a tiny one.
2 - Not in the worst part of the city, but there is somewhat of a bad rep that this area has
3 - My job? I'm in the office baby. I work wherever I sit with a lap top. That would be at my home.
4 - Rent? That's yesterday's reality. I own this fucking place :cool:

Anything else? :)

You need a Security Guard/Body Guard for your door :')

Nah he'll fall asleep the lazy prick and then they'll get him and take the keys and get in :p

You forgot to ask him for HW specs/qty and his passwords! :D

haha :D

I'd think whether you're living like a castaway in a place without people also matters. No people, no crime. :)

True. I could try to kill everyone. Or, um, maybe I could just move, dig a hole in the desert and live in it. But I'd rather not.

Great idea though. Definitely one of my Top 3 :D

Now that is expensive security!

That's what I said :D

> Question 0 - What kind of work do you do? - Some work can be done remotely in a safer city

>Question 1 - What city do you live in ? - Big cities are bad - Small towns are better - College towns are best

>Question 2 - What PART of that city do you live in. A ghetto is different from an industrial area which is different from a gated community

>Question 3 - How far is your apartment from your job (how far do you commute?) Longer commute might be from a safer area

>Question 4 - How much do you pay for rent? Safer areas might only be a little more expensive that where you live. Check the prices every few months.

Question 0 - There is a difference between a career and a job. Can you easily move or continue your career - Maybe you are living in the
wrong state or city or area of the city. Never think you are stuck somewhere.

Question 1 - Some cities are garbage, however a short commute away is totally nice, in the country
less expensive and safer

Question 4 - If you have a good salary and pay rent, MANY TIMES it is better to move away from
the unsafe area and buy a house in the country. Go to a mortgage site and compare your rent
with what it could buy in the way of a house. OR buy a small lot and put a manufactured house or
tiny home on it. Cheaper. Safer. You own it.

Remember that the 3 ways to always build wealth (throughout history) have been Real Estate, Farming and Mining.

Real Estate is the easiest.

Sincerely,

The Eye

You know, for me it's not so much about the area I live in and all that. I mean sure, it's something to consider, but that's not what this is about.

I just wanna be rather safe than sorry. That's all.

Reinforced doors and windows, on top of that, you need a smoke machine alarm.


Yeah, when the smoke machine alarm goes off by accident I'm gonna have a great time ain't I :D
 
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All combined could work, but some cameras in the ceiling controlled by phone, and an alarm that detects movement are cheaper than a door and proper security windows

The thing with the alarm is... do you know what would happen if an alarm went on at my next door neighbor? You know what I would do? Nothing. I would sit here and be pissed off and get progressively more pissed off that I have to listen to that shit!

And by the time I would get annoyed enough to get up and open my door and see what the fuck is going on, his apartment would be empty. And they wouldn't even have to rush :D

So unless his alarm is connected to the police or something and they come over as soon as it rings, I don't see what good it's gonna do.

Of course, other people are not like me, they're most social and they love sticking their nose in other peoples business, so I'm confident some neighbor will check out the situation before I do. Maybe... or maybe not... That maybe not is all I need to feel to not feel like an alarm offers any adequate protection.

I mean sure, the thieves could run when the alarm starts buzzing. But some day the alarm is gonna go off by accident, and it's gonna piss me off. And I'm not trying to piss myself off here, ay :D

It is not cheaper the day they robbed him.

That's all I'm trying to say :D
 
Yeah, when the smoke machine alarm goes off by accident I'm gonna have a great time ain't I :D
As in everything, you got to take some chances to win. Btw, the smoke is not toxic. But sure, if you buy it from Aliexpress, it might be toxic .. =)
 
As in everything, you got to take some chances to win. Btw, the smoke is not toxic. But sure, if you buy it from Aliexpress, it might be toxic .. =)

Buy it? I'll just find someone who already has that, break into their apartment and steal theirs!!! :D
 
Really depends, but I would recommend you to not let strangers enter your house and if they do, hide all the valuable stuff. You don't want people to think you are rich and they could get something out of you.

im-so-poor-cant-even-pay-attention-26129534.png
 
Seeing that you are in the 1st floor, your door is probably the most important entry point that needs to be buffed up. Can't give you a proper advice, because I live in a house and burglars NEVER break in houses through the front door so a typical door is fine, but you may want to do some research about more heavy duty doors with extra latches you can use when you are inside sleeping.

Windows can be opened from the outside with barely damaging the frame. If you walked by a broken-in window and was not paying close attention, you would not have noticed it has been broken into and the process takes only a couple of seconds. Short of installing bars you can't prevent a break-in through the window. So what can you do?

Buy motion sensors, not just IR, make sure you check out both microwave and laser barrier, simple IR is bare minimum and will not suffice! Sensors will be connected with a central computer (don't put it near door and try to hide it well), which will also communicate with an alarm siren. You'll want one inside and one outside. The one outside serves extra purpose of letting everyone know you got an alarm. Make sure that the siren does not have any visible or radio indication when it is armed or disarmed. You would normally want this system to be wired, but you'll probably have to settle for a wireless in your housing situation. If central computer loses connectivity with any sensor while alarm is armed, the alarm has to start beeping! If you lose power, your central unit has to have backup battery and the alarm again has to start beeping loudly. If your central computer has a GSM module, you can get called or receive SMS alert that alarm went off, when you are not at home.

Besides passive IR, MW and laser sensors, also get a good smoke detector. Look into magnetic tilt/shock sensors, those together with laser barriers are a nice way to set up a perimeter at every entry (doors and windows) and help you keep alarm armed even when you are in the house. You'll need to learn to live with it as well and not trigger false alarms or it will become less reliable. You can rent a service with one of many security companies that will connect to your alarm (you'll have to check with manufacturers they support) and call you or come check up on you, if alarm goes off, but this will take 15 min or longer and won't save you or your stuff.

Dog was a great suggestion as well and has other benefits. Since you are in apartment, you can't really set up multiple layers of defense. If allowed, I would also install lights on the hallway and outside near main entrance into the building and keep them turned on at night, not relying on sensors to turn them on and off. If you don't have public lights around the area that are turned on at night, time to visit and annoy the people at your local municipal office. Cameras can be an additional deterrent, but alarm is more important.

The goal is not to prevent a break in. Well, you could make that your goal, but you'll need a large compound and it will cost you a lot of money:) So your realistic goal is to make it not worth the effort so that everyone around you becomes a more attractive target for burglars.
 
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Seeing that you are in the 1st floor, your door is probably the most important entry point that needs to be buffed up. Can't give you a proper advice, because I live in a house and burglars NEVER break in houses through the front door so a typical door is fine, but you may want to do some research about more heavy duty doors with extra latches you can use when you are inside sleeping.

Windows can be opened from the outside with barely damaging the frame. If you walked by a broken-in window and was not paying close attention, you would not have noticed it has been broken into and the process takes only a couple of seconds. Short of installing bars you can't prevent a break-in through the window. So what can you do?

Buy motion sensors, not just IR, make sure you check out both microwave and laser barrier, simple IR is bare minimum and will not suffice! Sensors will be connected with a central computer (don't put it near door and try to hide it well), which will also communicate with an alarm siren. You'll want one inside and one outside. The one outside serves extra purpose of letting everyone know you got an alarm. Make sure that the siren does not have any visible or radio indication when it is armed or disarmed. You would normally want this system to be wired, but you'll probably have to settle for a wireless in your housing situation. If central computer loses connectivity with any sensor while alarm is armed, the alarm has to start beeping! If you lose power, your central unit has to have backup battery and the alarm again has to start beeping loudly. If your central computer has a GSM module, you can get called or receive SMS alert that alarm went off, when you are not at home.

Besides passive IR, MW and laser sensors, also get a good smoke detector. Look into magnetic tilt/shock sensors, those together with laser barriers are a nice way to set up a perimeter at every entry (doors and windows) and help you keep alarm armed even when you are in the house. You'll need to learn to live with it as well and not trigger false alarms or it will become less reliable. You can rent a service with one of many security companies that will connect to your alarm (you'll have to check with manufacturers they support) and call you or come check up on you, if alarm goes off, but this will take 15 min or longer and won't save you or your stuff.

Dog was a great suggestion as well and has other benefits. Since you are in apartment, you can't really set up multiple layers of defense. If allowed, I would also install lights on the hallway and outside near main entrance into the building and keep them turned on at night, not relying on sensors to turn them on and off. If you don't have public lights around the area that are turned on at night, time to visit and annoy the people at your local municipal office. Cameras can be an additional deterrent, but alarm is more important.

The goal is not to prevent a break in. Well, you could make that your goal, but you'll need a large compound and it will cost you a lot of money:) So your realistic goal is to make it not worth the effort so that everyone around you becomes a more attractive target for burglars.
There are some good advices in this post. Combo sensors will definitely harden your security. Considering your location you should go with brands like Paradox, DSC, Axaj, etc. Each country on Balkans have huge distributor networks as well as certified installers for them. Look for MasterBC if you are in Serbia/BiH/Montenegro or Alarm Automatika for MNE/CRO. If you have money go for Aviglion and Honeywell. Serveral National Security Agencies and biggest security companies at Balkans are using their products successfully for years.

Good ol' bare wire from pulse generator connected to windows/door handles can do the job too for balkanese thieves :D
 
Leave the radio/TV on, when you aren't at home. Get some smart lighting, so you can turn it on/off from wherever you are. Burglars avoid confrontation, if they can. If they think, that someone's at home, they will stay away.

You can do a lot of things with a smart home these days, which makes it look like, that someone's at home.

Or just replicate this :)
 
I had a similar problem. I got a dog and never had problems again. but some thiefs arent even afraid of doggos. good luck amigo
 
Leave the radio/TV on, when you aren't at home. Get some smart lighting, so you can turn it on/off from wherever you are. Burglars avoid confrontation, if they can. If they think, that someone's at home, they will stay away.

You can do a lot of things with a smart home these days, which makes it look like, that someone's at home.

Or just replicate this :)
But keep in mind, that every smart-thing connected to you home is a potential security risk too! Some things id never make smart such as Window or Door-Controls
 
But keep in mind, that every smart-thing connected to you home is a potential security risk too! Some things id never make smart such as Window or Door-Controls
They are only smart as human that designed them!
 
I'm aware that it's possible to trick the cameras and alarm systems, but don't you think the better the system, the harder it would be for hackers to work with it? That's pretty obvious, and that's the reason I decided to buy Ajax. I've heard about cyber security there, so it made me pretty interested, and I decided to try, especially when you learn that it's so popular.
 
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