How to properly fortify a small apartment

[RapidAssault16]

My girlfriend and her two other female friends are moving into a small apartment about 2 blocks away from our university. Our area has had it's share of muggings, armed robberies, and assaults, and I was wondering if there was any way of fortifying a small 1 bedroom apartment for prevention against unwanted intruders. I'll be in that apartment a lot, helping out with the chores, cooking, and to make sure the girls are okay, but for those times I'm not around, is there any way to fortify a small apartment like that. My first choice would be a good dog, which would serve as a guard-dog, but the landlord doesn't allow pets. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

[gregimotis]

Its an interesting question. You should post it here:

http://message.geoffthompson.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

as well.

[Roland]

Originally Posted by HandtoHand

Weapons
I'd suggest the girls getting pepper spray. They shouldn't get a license to carry because you just can't trust women with guns.

WTF?!?!

LOL.

[cakegirl]

Originally Posted by HandtoHand

They shouldn't get a license to carry because you just can't trust women with guns.

Holy CRAP.

Way to go, H2H, posting ridiculous BS like this on a woman's forum.

You ain't NEVER gonna get lucky.

[cakegirl]

Originally Posted by RapidAssault16

My girlfriend and her two other female friends... fortifying a small 1 bedroom apartment

Your girlfriend and her two friends are moving into a small 1 bedroom apartment together?

Maybe it's not the burglars you need to be afraid of. Maybe it's the lesbian threesomes?

[chalambok]

hi. If the bedroom is closer to the entrance than the common (living) room, be sure there is access either to an exit from the living room or to weapons in the living room. You never want to have an intruder between you and your freedom or your weapon. Fire extinguishers work better than pepper spray inside an apartment mainly because they are more bang for the buck, easier to find, and do not seem out of place hanging on the wall next to the kitchen stove. Besides, they are much easier to use. There are many things you can wedge under the door knob (a chair is always first in mind, but maybe a 2 X 4 can be cut to fit). Even a simple rubber door wedge can be put under the door any time the ladies are inside. A cup of flower, pepper, comet cleanser and garlic can always be left out, near to hand. The simplest things, of course are to either make the landlord step up and secure the property or to move. Legally, you are obligated to try to flee first, in almost every state, before responding with deadly intent. Good luck

[Roland]

Originally Posted by cakegirl

Maybe it's the lesbian threesomes?

There is nothing to fear when it comes to lesbian three-somes as long as you keep your wits about you and keep an open mind.

[ryanhall]

Maybe it's not the burglars you need to be afraid of. Maybe it's the lesbian threesomes?

Woah, whoa, woah. Let's hold on here for just a minute. I would like to make abundantly clear that there is nothing to fear from lesbians (only hot ones need apply ), spontaneous acts of female-on-female experimentation, or anything that even remotely resembles the aforementioned acts. On the contrary, it should be encouraged.

Now that we have dodged that bullett, you may now return to your regularly-scheduled discussion of whatever it is you all were talking about.

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by HandtoHand

As far as me getting lucky; well I got close with this ugly girl.

Hey man, relatives don't count...jj

Once you get into the military, things will improve....

[cakegirl]

I agree with you H2H, if a woman is in a violent relationship and fears that their partner is going to use a gun on them, they should get out. Why they don't is a whole different topic and has been the subject of countless studies, programs, etc.

In my experience, when women are afraid of guns in the house, it's usually because they're worried of an accident - the gun getting into the hands of a child, or someone not properly experienced in using them, etc.

I never had a problem with guns in the house - daddy was a gunsmith, so I even had my own cannon as a kid!

Cakegirl

[hEmPY]

Originally Posted by RapidAssault16

My girlfriend and her two other female friends are moving into a small apartment about 2 blocks away from our university. Our area has had it's share of muggings, armed robberies, and assaults, and I was wondering if there was any way of fortifying a small 1 bedroom apartment for prevention against unwanted intruders. I'll be in that apartment a lot, helping out with the chores, cooking, and to make sure the girls are okay, but for those times I'm not around, is there any way to fortify a small apartment like that. My first choice would be a good dog, which would serve as a guard-dog, but the landlord doesn't allow pets. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

1st. a dog (they dont allow animals, find another appartment)
2nd. a gun

[darrianation]

Here is a list of random question to ask and helpful hints to keep your apartment or home safe.

Are all entrances key-controlled? Use dead bolts! Don't rely on door chains; they can be forced or opened with tools. Secure all doors and windows when you leave, keep them secure even when you are home. If the apartment has an alarm system installed make sure it’s on even when your home. Use dead bolts, do not open the door for strangers, use the peephole or talk through the door.

Is the lighting adequate especially at all entrances and in any parking lots/garages, and laundry, etc? Are there security lights in hallways, stairwells, outside elevators? Motion detecting lights for approaches from the street/alley garages are good ideas.

Does the manager seem responsible and concerned about security?

Never announce that you are home alone. Make sure you tell your children about this.

Report all burnt out light bulbs in the building and on the street, entrances, and etc insisting that they be fixed immediately.

Don't hold the door open for strangers or buzz them in if they ring your apartment. Tell them to buzz the manager.

Do not leave notes on the door saying you are not home. Many people do this for friends they are expecting telling them they went to the store and will return soon, or for the mailman or UPS guy.

When gone always leave a light on in at least two rooms, you can also put lights on a timer to turn off and on at different times.

Make sure that your manager keeps shrubs trimmed away from windows. This makes a great way for a burglar or a rapist to enter your home/apartment without being seen.

A burglar’s main entry point for apartments is the patio door, especially for first or second floor apartments. Secure these doors with a stop bar.

Always keep your shades or drapes drawn at night.

If upon arrival you find your door broken into or an broken window (large enough for someone to crawl through) or open window (when it was closed before), or suspect someone might be in your apartment, do not enter your apartment “GET OUT” as soon as possible. Then call the police, and then your manager.

Mind your garage door opener and keep it secure.

When on vacation make sure you let a trusted friend know how to get a hold of you and pick up your mail.

Never give out personal information to strangers.

Do not list your address in the phone book.

Never put your name or address on a key.

Keep your valuables out of site, especially when you are entertaining company. Do not brag about the neat stuff you have in your apartment (Cool stereo system, HD liquid wide screen TV, etc)

Keep your personal spaces inside your apartment off limits to visitors.

And finally a dog is a good idea, too. They can bark alerting you to a approaching person.

Rememebr burglars/rapists and such are looking for the easy prey. Make it hard for them to victimize you.

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by cakegirl

Maybe it's not the burglars you need to be afraid of. Maybe it's the lesbian threesomes?

This Hotel Hamaca/"Miss Ozzie MMA Photo Shoot"/Drink Fest is getting more exciting....

[darrianation]

Originally Posted by cakegirl

Maybe it's not the burglars you need to be afraid of. Maybe it's the lesbian threesomes?

Try to bring a serious discussion to a serious topic and what do you get? F***ing lesbians…. Okay yes please, bring on the lesbians.

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by HandtoHand

BTW: Was the cannon one of those mini-ones that fire large lead balls, or was it a full size one?

I've got a cannon.

Needs 2-3 pints for adequate distance otherwise it requires about 10,000 frictionless pumps along the shaft..........



......the water cannon in my backyard, that is .