Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Improving Safety & Security in a Ground Floor Apartment
There are many reasons why you may choose to live in a ground-floor apartment. Perhaps you’ve converted part of your household into a separate living space for an elderly relative, so they have easy access to their quarters without having to climb any stairs.
Perhaps you’re renting a first-floor apartment simply because that’s what was on offer. Perhaps the better suites for assisted living were on the ground floor. Or, maybe, circumstances were that this is where your favored owned apartment was located, and you ran with it.
Now, it’s true to say that ground-floor living can be different to living in a full house or above ground, especially in an urban environment. When people can more easily look through your window, privacy is reduced, and that may attract the wrong sort of attention.
With that in mind, you may consider how to improve your safety and security in a ground-floor apartment so that you feel comfortable spending time there. Without further ado, let’s get started!
We’ve lived in a couple of apartments during our marriage and even have done some repairs to them (with a landlord’s permission, of course). See Tommy’s quick video below, teaching how to repair textured drywall or watch it via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Curtains and blinds add security to your apartment
Use Muslin Or Net Curtains & Blinds
Shutter blinds can be fantastic for privacy in a ground-floor apartment, as they provide the perfect middle-ground between letting enough light in, and shutting off all visual input when you need it. You can also balance this or swap them with muslin curtains.
If they’re a dark enough color, you’ll see that muslin actually makes it hard to see from outside during the day, because penetrating through the window and the layer of cloth is harder for light to do from outside. However, inside, you’ll still have near 80% of the natural light you would have had otherwise, which is a nice counterbalance if you require day-long privacy
Using ventilation locks can help add security to your apartment
Use Ventilation Locks
Ventilation locks on open windows allow you to keep the window semi-closed (to the point where no fingers could reach underneath and detach the lock), while also letting in fresh air and a breeze.
While it’s good to make sure your windows are fully closed each night, this can grant you precious breathing room during the day, and also prevent damp from growing due to trapped moisture. This is especially important if you have an en-suite or bathroom within the area, as an extraction fan alone isn’t always enough to carry out the moisture from the space.
Check all entry points for added security needs
Reinforce Entry Points
It’s also important to reinforce entry points if you can. An automatic closer on your fire doors can be a good way to prevent your living space from being exposed. You could also implement thicker locks at the bottom and top of the door so you’re relaxed at night.
Double-glazing and stronger window frames can prevent those who might want to get in, and you’ll feel more secure in a robust and comfortable home. Reinforcing entry points gives you the peace of mind you might need to relax no matter the time of year, and no matter how busy your local urban environment is.
With this advice, you’re certain to improve your safety, security and comfort in your ground-floor apartment or living area.
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.