According to Interpol, Cyprus is one of the safest countries in the European Union. Nevertheless, the importance of this factor in the real estate market is constantly growing. The degree of security of a home, combined with the crime rate of the chosen area, will ultimately affect the market value of the property. There are many different ways to make a property impenetrable to intruders.
This blog provides a series of steps to make your apartment or house safe.
Entrance Group
A key role (literally and figuratively) in the security of any property is played by direct entry points - windows and doors. The latter must be made of quality material, accurately fitted to the doorway and equipped with a sufficient number of hinges of the right size. If desired, the wooden door leaf of the apartment can have a metal core, and in private houses, especially those that are left unattended for a long time, the front door should be armored.
The most reliable doors are made of hardened steel plates and are quite massive. It is recommended to choose locks of higher security class, which will cause maximum problems for apartment thieves. On the entrance door you can install a chain lock and a security bar. It is located between the door handle and the floor and is actually a stop that can resist the force of the burglar. The bar is placed in a working position, e.g. at night.
The glass and security locks on the windows are also important. Some homeowners even use bulletproof glass, which is extremely difficult to break. If possible, windows should be kept closed, especially during the hours of darkness. In addition to windows, curtains should also be kept closed so as not to expose anything the homeowners own. It is better to cover the glass door to the balcony or terrace with a special armored foil. Here are some recommendations for owners of private houses:
- It is recommended to install shutters at least on the first floor.
- You should not leave ladders and other devices on the property that can facilitate entry into the house from the upper floor.
- Garden lighting, including the light at the entrance to the house, should be equipped with automatic motion detectors, which are a significant inconvenience to intruders. On the advice of security services it is recommended to install such lighting in the farthest and darkest corners of the property.
- Regular checking of door and window locks should be a mandatory rule.
- The absence of a guard dog plays into the hands of criminals.
Security Technology
The best way to store cash, valuables and belongings in your home is with a reliable safe. The right solution will be to mount it on the wall or on the floor. In order to increase the security of the apartment, it is recommended to install a set of video intercom. It will allow you to recognize the guest and find out the purpose of his visit. The use of several cameras increases visibility and, consequently, security. The next level of home inviolability is the installation of a professional security system, including surveillance cameras. These are especially useful if the host wants to keep track of what is going on in his home while he is away. Cameras are also capable of recording information for long periods of time and can detect suspicious activity. Another option is to install an alarm system in the home. In this case, you can choose models that perform video surveillance or those that are equipped only with motion sensors. The most important thing in this case is not to forget the key codes!
An intelligent smart home system is a highly advanced tool for the technical security of a home and its occupants, but it can also perform other functions. First of all, it can identify owners or trusted persons. In case of illegal entry, the system activates sound and light alarms, transmits images from video surveillance cameras and sends a signal to the owner's phone and to the security company. The system is designed to monitor the perimeter of the property and the integrity of windows and doors. In addition, this smart device is able to simulate the presence of the owners, turning on and off lights, closing curtains and making sounds. In addition, the smart home can prevent a fire in the room with the help of smoke detectors and a fire safety system. Connected to an autonomous power supply, the system provides round-the-clock security, even when the homeowners are away for extended periods of time.
The Human Factor
Getting to know and building relationships with your neighbors contributes to the security of your home, whether it's a community of homes or an apartment building. Neighbors tend to look out for each other, which can be helpful if something or someone suspicious is happening near the home. In such circumstances, they can alert the other residents of the house. Good neighborly relations with your tenants give you reason to ask them to watch the property while you are away and vice versa, but such requests are possible with mutual trust.
If you are going to be separated from your home for a short period of time, the proper solution is to create the illusion of your hosts' presence. The simplest solution is to leave a light or sound source on. Use caution when posting on social media. You don't need to include geolocation tags so intruders can't find out your exact address. Social media is a valuable source of information for criminals. It is not recommended to write about your habits, daily routine, weekend or vacation plans. It is also not necessary to brag about expensive purchases and gifts. Excessive eloquence is not always useful.
If the owner has returned home and the front door is open, it is absolutely forbidden to enter the apartment! In this case, you should call the police, your neighbors or the management company. If everything indicates that someone else is in the apartment, it is necessary to lock it with a key and leave it in the lock. During a home visit, the appliance repairman should not go further than the room where he is to work. It is worth checking the service technician's ID and never give him the keys to the house. Under no circumstances should you open the door if you can't see anyone through the peephole and the lights are out. The intruder may have intentionally taped the door shut, or the electricity in the house may have been damaged or intentionally turned off. Remember that criminals are not only masters of crime, but also excellent psychologists.
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