03:09 16-12-2025

Apartment security that works: locks, doors, smart alarms

Generated by DALL·E

Practical apartment security guide: choose reliable locks and doors, protect windows, set up alarms and cameras, and create a lived-in effect to deter burglars.

Apartment burglaries remain one of the most common threats. According to the Interior Ministry, one in five thefts in the country involves unlawful entry into a home. Burglars work quietly, and owners often discover what happened only after they return. Protecting your place isn’t a formality — it’s a necessity.

Together with an expert, we break down practical ways to harden your home and make it as inconvenient as possible for intruders.

Locks: security starts at the door

Experienced burglars can pick almost any lock, but a more complex setup buys precious minutes — exactly what offenders try to avoid. In practice, deterrence comes down to forcing an intruder to waste time and take risks. A pragmatic choice is a pair of locks: a lever lock together with a cylinder lock. For the cylinder, a hardened escutcheon protects the core from being knocked out or drilled.

When buying, check the GOST resistance class:

• Class 1 — opening in up to 2 minutes
• Class 4 — around 30 minutes

Digital locks with a code or fingerprint are popular. They are convenient, though they can attract attention. Quality electronic systems, however, lock down during tampering and trigger an alarm — a sensible balance of comfort and security.

The door: the backbone of security

Experts advise choosing doors that open outward — they are harder to force. During installation, it is better to set the frame in concrete so the bolts go into the slab and strengthen the structure. Pay attention to the M1 GOST strength mark — the highest level of reliability.

Optimal build:

• Door thickness — at least 8 cm
• Steel sheet — from 1 mm

Windows: protection beyond the ground floor

There are international window security standards — DIN V ENV 1627 — where class WK3 is considered the most resistant to break-ins.

For lower floors, you can additionally use:

• Security bars (preferably opening from the inside)
• Roller shutters
• Security film (withstands blows and heavy thrown objects)

Prices for the film start at 1,500 rubles per window.

Additional security systems

Alarm system

The most effective protection. Sensors on doors, windows, and inside the apartment provide maximum control.

Options:

• Standalone audible siren
• Connection to a security company
• Panic button, including via an app

Cameras and smart home

Modern systems let you monitor your home from a smartphone:

• IP cameras
• Door and window opening sensors
• Notifications about suspicious activity

Experts do not recommend installing a lone red light just ‘to scare off’ — it can backfire on the owner.

The human factor: security and neighbors

For large buildings, experts say a live guard is the best protection. Two staff working shifts can watch cameras and make rounds, preventing not only theft but also vandalism in common areas.

Additional measures:

• Access control system
• Fenced courtyard
• Contract with a private security company or Rosgvardiya

How to create a ‘presence effect’

Burglars often leave discreet marks on a door to see how long it remains unopened.

Simple tricks help:

• Ask neighbors to pick up mail and keep an eye on the door
• Use smart plugs to turn lights on at varying times
• Avoid posting vacation photos on social media

Protecting valuables

The best way to keep valuables safe is a bank safe deposit box. If you store them at home, you will need a quality safe fixed to a wall or the floor.

What matters to remember

Apartment security is a combination of measures: a sturdy door, reliable locks, window protection, an alarm system, and attentive neighbors. You can’t remove risk entirely, but you can realistically push it to a minimum. If you want, I can prepare a short version of this article or adapt it for social media.