Whether you live in a high-rise building or in a bungalow, you can be vulnerable to a burglary. Here are some tips for safety if you live in a high-rise building.
Whether you live in a high-rise building or in a bungalow, you can be vulnerable to a burglary. Not all buildings are a hundred percent burglarproof, and not all bungalows are risky. There are always things you can do to ensure your safety. Here are some tips for safety if you live in a high-rise building.
Don't use the words 'jewellery' or 'locker'
Keep standard, basic jewellery at home, and keep the rest of your high-end jewellery and other valuables in a bank locker. Choose a bank locker close to your home so it is convenient, and pick up the jewellery the day, or a few days before you need to wear it. Return it to the locker as soon as possible. Be discreet about the fact that you are going to the locker. If the driver is taking you there, use the word 'bank' and not locker. When speaking on the telephone, use a code word for locker. Always remember that even though your chauffer may be completely honest and trustworthy, the people he hangs out with when waiting around for you, may not be, and you don't want him to be discussing your trips to the locker with them!
Similarly, when going for a wedding, always cover the jewellery around your neck with a dupatta or scarf. Remove the scarf just before pulling into the venue. This will ensure safety even during the drive, and your jewellery will be safe from the prying eyes of the liftmen or watchmen around the building. If asked, tell your servants that your heavy jewellery is fake.
Give the impression that you are low on cash
Remember, even if you live in a high-rise building with security, an inside burglary job is still possible. The drivers and servants hired by other residents have complete access to the building, and a robbery attempt by them would be relatively easier to pull off. So don't let your household help ever form the impression that you have a lot of money lying around. Let them believe that you are always low on cash, no matter how wealthy you may be. Make random comments about how everything is so expensive, and about how you have no money and so on.
Get a double door
Perhaps the best protection of all would be to get two main doors: a grilled outer door and a solid wooden inner door - so the next time a stranger rings your doorbell you will never need to hesitate when opening the door. We often hear of robbers disguised as courier men. If such a person comes to your house, you can ask him to hand you the papers and the package through the grills. Make sure the grills are reasonably far enough for you to slip a glass of water through, but too close for any person to slip through. Normally burglars like an easy job, so if they forsee complications with trying to get you to open the grill, they will just give up and try their luck elsewhere.
Sometimes the problem arises when a familiar person, like the building watchman, is outside the door, and he asks to come in on some pretext or another. If you are a woman by yourself at home, refuse to open the door and tell him to return at a time when your husband or other family members are around.
Burglar-Proof Your Home II
