Post Brothers makes every effort to maintain a safe and secure environment in our luxury Philadelphia apartments. However, even the safest luxury apartments in Philadelphia can experience a burglary. Residents can protect themselves and their possessions by taking a few simple precautions. Here are 8 tips to protect your Philly apartment from burglars.
1. Install double-cylinder, dead-bolt locks on your outside doors and include a reinforced strike plate to strengthen the doorframe.
2. Lock all doors and windows no matter how briefly you’ll be out of the house.
3. Install bars or lock pins on sliding doors and windows. These are available at local hardware or discount stores. Some mechanisms allow you to lock a sliding window or door in a partially-open position so you can enjoy fresh air securely while you’re at home. However, if you go out, close the window and lock it.
4. That old trick of hiding a key somewhere outside your home is almost always a bad idea. Anyone who may have seen you hiding the key will know exactly where to find it. Instead, give a key to a neighbor or leave one with the super or other trusted person in the building.
5. “Sam, I’ve gone to pick up your brother. I’ll be home at 12:30. Love, Dad” This note also means, “Burglar, this house will be unoccupied so go ahead and help yourself.” Don’t ever leave notes like this!
6. If you’re going to be out of the house for a short time, leave a television or radio on to create a sense of activity and presence.
7. If you’re going to be away from your apartment for a longer time, such as a vacation, take a few simple precautions to keep your home from looking empty. Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and keep the door clear of delivery notices, newspapers and fliers. Pick up several electric timers at the local discount store, and use them to turn lights, a television or radios on and off at various times during the day and evening. Let your neighbors and the manager know how to reach you in case there’s an emergency.
8. Marking your valuable personal property won’t prevent it from being stolen, but it will help make it easier to get it back if it is. Engrave your driver’s license number or some other recognizable form of identification on items in a hidden area. Check with the local fire department, police station or library to borrow an engraver. They’re also available at large discount stores and are worth the investment if you have many items to mark. Photographing the item (and the engraved marking, if possible) will make it easier to retrieve your items from local law enforcement if they are recovered, and will aid in making an insurance claim.
It doesn’t take much to discourage a burglar. He succeeds on opportunity, and if your Philadelphia apartment doesn’t offer an easy opportunity, he’ll move on to one that does.