How do you fellows manage? Is there another way out? I'm very accustomed to sleeping with all windows fully open, on all sides of the apartment, at night !! (We have mosquito screens on these windows). This apartment ticks all other boxes !!
We've lived (and rented) in Switzerland since 12 years and have never been on the ground floor. Back in India, we had window grills, which is ofcourse a fire safety hazard here !!
Thanks !!
The rear of the apartment is closer to the ground again, the landlord installed iron grills on the back balcony due to a break in years ago.
As far as windows go, I have them open on a slant most of the time. I don't know what's this called properly, when you rotate the handle 180 degrees and pull the top out a bit.
Problem solved.
Tom
Install bright Security lights,
Install a video surveillance system, with appropriate warning signs.
... or just install the signs. You don’t actually need to be secure, just more secure than your neighbours.
Tom
Tom
We have 2m tall windows on 2 sides and we're accessible from the ground on one. Windows tilted or wide open is OK.
If you're worried, get a dog. Dogs are cool anyway.
In the nine years since I am living here, there was never a problem.
Anyway, is it a new-built you are buying? If so, get talking to the developers ASAP and talk about your options. Make sure the windows have a higher level security than standard (would be very hard to break open without making a big noise, but still breakable in case of emergency like fires)
My ground floor apartment was broken into once about 15 years ago so we had the police consultant giving some advice and since then never had a problem.
The most important thing is to never advertise that you are not at home. Ground floor break ins are opportunistic. People who break into upper floors really go through a lot of trouble to break in, but for you, it’s the sight of an open window and a dark apartment that attracts thieves. For this reason an alarm system is overkill, better to focus more on discouraging a break-in to begin with.
So auto lights at home, motion triggered spot lamps outside, leave the radio on the whole day, etc.
Our neighbours constantly leave their blinds down when they are away and some of them have had more than 1 break ins. We have never had a break in since we leave our blinds up and lights on, etc. etc.
Slant opened windows but look for the strengthened type or someone to install a bar that would block it from being opened further.
From my 2nd floor balcony I just laugh at how cats and dogs consider ground floor balconies as their own.
We found our ground floor apartment was cool enough with the windows tilted rather than fully open, and the external blinds down.
In theory you could probably jimmy the catch to open the window fully, the same as you can in theory lift up the blinds and climb in, but doing both without waking you and all the neighbours would be a good trick.
Still good advice to check that out though