ChatterBank1 min ago
How to keep myself safe
26 Answers
Someone was trying to get into my flat in the early hours of this morning, scared the hell out of me but the police came within 10 mins of me phoning them and managed to scare them off although didn't get them. Still shaky now!!!
What are the best ways of making my flat secure? The doors aren't exactly hard to break into and the locks aren't great either. xxx
What are the best ways of making my flat secure? The doors aren't exactly hard to break into and the locks aren't great either. xxx
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I had someone get into my house while I was asleep....He was in my bedroom as well............My insurance company sent someone to advise on locks, where they should be placed and what windows needed extra locks. Then I got a lock smith in. I also fitted an alarm.
Oh....and it sh*t the life out of me as well
Oh....and it sh*t the life out of me as well
Do you have a burgular alarm? I live alone too and before I moved in I got an alarm with a panic button beside my bed. I've never had to use it and the alarm has never gone off but it gives me peace of mind!
Also there was a security light fitted outside my back door which is activated by motion which will draw attention to anyone trying to get in
Also there was a security light fitted outside my back door which is activated by motion which will draw attention to anyone trying to get in
Hi, thank you :)
I'm still a bit shaky and not sure if i'm gonna sleep much tonight but am ok.
Have taken a day's holiday to work at home and am trying to get in touch with the letting agents to speak to them.
It's a horrible feeling esp as I live alone and there's only one way out which is where they were trying to get in.
The police were great, a couple of undercover guys were here within about 10 mins of me ringing them but they went to have a look around so didn't get chance to ask them about locks and it was the middle of the night and was still really shaking worrying they'd come back.
A while ago I was staying over with a friend, sleeping in the lounge and someone came in and stole mine and my friend's handbags from the room i was sleeping in, from right by me!!! We lost phones, cards, cash, ID, keys, photos, so much stuff.
I'm still a bit shaky and not sure if i'm gonna sleep much tonight but am ok.
Have taken a day's holiday to work at home and am trying to get in touch with the letting agents to speak to them.
It's a horrible feeling esp as I live alone and there's only one way out which is where they were trying to get in.
The police were great, a couple of undercover guys were here within about 10 mins of me ringing them but they went to have a look around so didn't get chance to ask them about locks and it was the middle of the night and was still really shaking worrying they'd come back.
A while ago I was staying over with a friend, sleeping in the lounge and someone came in and stole mine and my friend's handbags from the room i was sleeping in, from right by me!!! We lost phones, cards, cash, ID, keys, photos, so much stuff.
Most police forces have something called the bobby van. If you receive certain benefits or have been a victim of crime its free, they fit all the necessary locks but they can certainly advise you. Get in contact with you local station. On my inner door I have a yale lok, another lock that you can open the door a few inches without having to unlock it, and huge bolts at the top and bottom, so its secure in 4 places, so its basicly reinforced even if someone is trying to bash it down it would take an age to get in.
I had a smiliar thing happen a few years back, I noticed someone snooping in my back garden, so I phoned the police, much palaptations were being had. They then asked if I could still see him, he had his arm through the kitchen window (one of those little flap windows, trying to open the big one. So I grabbed the handle and started banging his arm with the window, he was screaming I was screaming, the police were there in 2 minutes lol
I had a smiliar thing happen a few years back, I noticed someone snooping in my back garden, so I phoned the police, much palaptations were being had. They then asked if I could still see him, he had his arm through the kitchen window (one of those little flap windows, trying to open the big one. So I grabbed the handle and started banging his arm with the window, he was screaming I was screaming, the police were there in 2 minutes lol
A point to remember when fitting new dead locks.
Make sure there are 5 lever and British Standard Kite marked or your insurance company will use it as an excuse to avoid paying up.
When buying locks, you get what you pay for.
In addition to redcrx reply, contact your local police station and speak to the local neighbourhood watch officer. They will come around and give free help and advice with regards to making your home more secure.
If money is OK consider fitting a NACOSS approved burglar alarm system. For a subscription fee these systems will be monitored and ensure a police response if activated. You are looking at �500-�700 for the alarm including fitting and the monitoring fee varies depending on the company. A bonus is that you get a reduction on your home insurance.
Good luck.
Make sure there are 5 lever and British Standard Kite marked or your insurance company will use it as an excuse to avoid paying up.
When buying locks, you get what you pay for.
In addition to redcrx reply, contact your local police station and speak to the local neighbourhood watch officer. They will come around and give free help and advice with regards to making your home more secure.
If money is OK consider fitting a NACOSS approved burglar alarm system. For a subscription fee these systems will be monitored and ensure a police response if activated. You are looking at �500-�700 for the alarm including fitting and the monitoring fee varies depending on the company. A bonus is that you get a reduction on your home insurance.
Good luck.
I live in Manchester City Centre, just bordering on Salford.
I had felt a lot safer here (til now) as I'm in a second floor flat with supposedly secure entry.
It was about half 4 this morning, the noise woke me up and I just didn't know what to do and was cowering for what seemed like ages esp as I live on my own.
Just been ringing around locksmiths and such and need to fix the door handle they've worked loose.
I had felt a lot safer here (til now) as I'm in a second floor flat with supposedly secure entry.
It was about half 4 this morning, the noise woke me up and I just didn't know what to do and was cowering for what seemed like ages esp as I live on my own.
Just been ringing around locksmiths and such and need to fix the door handle they've worked loose.
Hmmm, best thing to do jenna is put a rubber door stop under your door, that way they wont be able to open it anyway, even if they do get the handle off. (it sounds silly, but it really does work). Another handy thing to buy would be a small sensor alarm which goes on your door. Once it opens slightly, the alarm goes off.They are only cheap, but very loud. They are probably junkies so any loud noise will put them off. Make sure any windows are closed properly as if they see the slightest gap, they will try to get in. I dont know the layout of the flats your in, so cant offer any more advice really :(
Thank you :) A rubber door stop, what a fantastic idea!!! I'll go out and buy some later.
The letting agents aren't ringing me back which is annoying me as I want to get something sorted out. Have rung around and funnily enough I bumped into a lock fitter from Timpsons in the left this morning so asked him!
One guy suggested a box for my letter box (I sealed it with tape this morning) and one of those chains too I'm gonna check out later and some sensor alarms.
The doors here are wierd, not very heavy duty and even when you lock it (yale) you can just open it from the inside which is a bit wierd. I think they were also trying to get theirhand through to open the door then gave up and tried to get the door handle off. They were there for what seemed like ages and who knows how long before I woke up.
It's one door in then three separate doors for living room/kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. The far outside walls are floor to ceiling windows which a mock balcony which look out on the second floor of a main road.
My flat is in a block of loads, at least 7 floors which a large amount of flats on each floor. It's in a corridor shared with about 4 other flats and down the end of a long corridor with a number of doors inbetween.
The letting agents aren't ringing me back which is annoying me as I want to get something sorted out. Have rung around and funnily enough I bumped into a lock fitter from Timpsons in the left this morning so asked him!
One guy suggested a box for my letter box (I sealed it with tape this morning) and one of those chains too I'm gonna check out later and some sensor alarms.
The doors here are wierd, not very heavy duty and even when you lock it (yale) you can just open it from the inside which is a bit wierd. I think they were also trying to get theirhand through to open the door then gave up and tried to get the door handle off. They were there for what seemed like ages and who knows how long before I woke up.
It's one door in then three separate doors for living room/kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. The far outside walls are floor to ceiling windows which a mock balcony which look out on the second floor of a main road.
My flat is in a block of loads, at least 7 floors which a large amount of flats on each floor. It's in a corridor shared with about 4 other flats and down the end of a long corridor with a number of doors inbetween.
You have my sympathy. It must have been a horrible experience.
Check with your local police station to see if they still have a Crime Prevention Officer who will look over your flat and suggest ways of making it secure.
If you rent it, report the situation to your landlord and ask him to install security locks and a chain on the door.
If it's your own propery, consider installing a burglar alarm and have a panic button installed by the front door and beside your bed..
Also, buy yourself one of theselittle hand held personal attack alarm and keep it by your bed. (They only cost around �5 and you can probably buy them over the internet if you don't have a security shop near you). They are extremely noisy and any intruder will undoubtedly be scared off by the noise and the thought of discovery.
You could also invest in a low energy light which you could leave on all night where it's visible to the outside world as any lit property is also a deterrent.
Check with your local police station to see if they still have a Crime Prevention Officer who will look over your flat and suggest ways of making it secure.
If you rent it, report the situation to your landlord and ask him to install security locks and a chain on the door.
If it's your own propery, consider installing a burglar alarm and have a panic button installed by the front door and beside your bed..
Also, buy yourself one of theselittle hand held personal attack alarm and keep it by your bed. (They only cost around �5 and you can probably buy them over the internet if you don't have a security shop near you). They are extremely noisy and any intruder will undoubtedly be scared off by the noise and the thought of discovery.
You could also invest in a low energy light which you could leave on all night where it's visible to the outside world as any lit property is also a deterrent.
Thank you all :)
The letting people said the locksmith couldn't get there til monday but i said it wasn't good enough and funnily enough he can now make it first thing tomorrow morning.
Once that's done I'll feel better about getting out to get some chains and alarms and such.
Have managed to find some doorstops here I can use and am going to barricade myself in tonight.
Thank you all so much for all your answers xxx
The letting people said the locksmith couldn't get there til monday but i said it wasn't good enough and funnily enough he can now make it first thing tomorrow morning.
Once that's done I'll feel better about getting out to get some chains and alarms and such.
Have managed to find some doorstops here I can use and am going to barricade myself in tonight.
Thank you all so much for all your answers xxx
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