Whether you live in a house or an apartment, it can be very scary to know that someone has entered your home without your permission. That’s why you need to do everything possible to keep your property safe.
One of the best ways to do this is to keep an eye on your surroundings. You can look for telltale signs that indicate someone has been in your home and that they’re not a good person to be around.
1. Look for broken windows
If you’re worried that someone has entered your apartment, there are a few things you can do. First, check your windows and doors.
You’ll want to examine your windows and doors for signs of forced entry, such as a broken window lock or damage to the frame. These can be signs that someone is trying to break in and will help you determine if they’re the right person to worry about.
Next, check your furniture and belongings for signs of tampering. This is especially important if your belongings have been moved from their normal spots in the apartment or if any valuable items have been stolen.
For example, if you have a collection of rocks in one room and notice that some of them are missing, that may be an indication that someone has been tampering with the place.
Another way to check for tampering is to take pictures of your home. You can do this by taking wide-angle photos of your room or by using a phone to take videos.
Once you’ve taken a few pictures, you can compare them to the actual position of your belongings. If there’s a big difference between the two, you might have a burglar in your house.
If you do find a window that has been broken, it’s critical to act fast and get it fixed. Until the window is repaired, you’ll want to keep it covered with a tarp so that people and animals can’t come in and hurt themselves on the broken glass. You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t step on any lingering shards of glass while cleaning it up. If you’re not sure what to do, contact a professional who can assist you in making a safe and effective cleanup plan.
2. Look for signs of tampering
Although you’ve probably been lucky enough to avoid the perils of apartment living, a little sleuthing can go a long way in helping you find a new tenant and make your place feel like home again. For starters, it’s time to check out your property’s security measures and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. You’ll also want to be sure to get the right sort of tenant insurance. Hopefully, all of these measures will keep you from the evils of unwelcome guests and in turn allow you to concentrate on the more enjoyable aspects of running a successful home or business.
3. Look for missing items
Losing something is never easy, but it can be especially stressful if you have something valuable that has gone missing. There are a few things you can do to find your lost items more quickly, though, so if you’re experiencing this problem, don’t give up hope!
To start, take note of where you keep the item you’re looking for. If you can’t remember the exact spot, try to jot down the last place you saw it. This will help you remember where to look for it, and might even lead you to the right place sooner!
Peek under and around larger objects. If you’re trying to locate a wallet or a pair of glasses, for example, you can check under the couch, behind the chairs, or underneath the bed. These spots are likely to be more difficult to find, but they could also hide your lost item.
Do a slow, careful search of each area in your apartment where you normally keep the item. If you don’t find it, expand your search area little by little until you do.
Once you’ve found the item, put it back where it belongs and return everything to its normal state. This will help you to confirm that no one has entered your apartment while you were gone, and it will give you peace of mind.
If you’re worried about your security and have no idea how to know if someone entered your apartment, you can call the police or hire a professional for assistance. They will be able to tell you if there’s a problem and offer tips for securing your home more effectively. In addition, they can help you if your property is stolen.
5. Look for signs of forced entry
If you’ve ever stayed at a friend’s house, or lived in an apartment for any length of time, you know that even when you take extra care to lock your doors and windows, sometimes criminals will break in. That’s why knowing how to spot if someone has entered your apartment is important.
There are three main ways that burglars enter your home: picking, bumping and forcing entry through a door. Luckily, they all leave subtle signs that tell you that something has happened.
For example, if you notice that your lock fixtures don’t turn quite as they used to, this is probably a sign of bumping or forceful tampering. This method involves knocking a sawed-down key into the lock’s pin tumblers. In addition, new scratches around your lock’s keyholes or a warped pin and bolt could indicate bumping as well.
When you find evidence of forced entry in your apartment, be sure to contact the authorities immediately. Police are trained to deal with home invasions and will be able to assist you in identifying the criminal responsible for the crime.
In addition, you should stay quiet and keep your movements to a minimum until the police arrive. If you can, try to hide under a bed or in a closet. You might also want to call a friend or neighbor who can come over and wait with you until the police arrive.
Ideally, you will be able to identify the criminal’s fingerprints and other visual clues. This will help you file an insurance claim or alert the police that someone has broken into your apartment. Having this knowledge can also help you protect your belongings.