A first floor apartment is safer if you have to evacuate, but they are more vulnerable to break-ins. This is because the apartment can be accessed through both the door and the windows, unlike on higher floors where generally only the door is at risk from a burglar.
If you’re a woman living alone, one of your biggest concerns might be the safety and security of your home.
Generally speaking, women are more vulnerable to break-ins and other crimes and moreso if they are elderly women.
Do First Floor Apartments Get Robbed More?
When I separated from my husband and started looking for an apartment to move to, I found a sweet garden-level apartment that was perfect for me.
But the thing that stopped me from signing the lease on the spot was that it was at ground level.
The whole time I was looking at it with the rental agent, I kept stressing about the potential for a break in.
As I mentioned, it stands to reason that a ground floor apartment can be an easier target for a criminal. This is because there are several easy access areas: the front door and the windows.
Plus, they don’t have to deal with flights of stairs! Carrying your 50-inch television set that they just stole from you down from upper floors would not be easy.
Apartments are commonly targeted if they are located on the ground-floor because of the easy access.
Brinks Home Security
A top floor apartment may have windows on the catwalk or hallway but it’s just not as accessible for an intruder to get to them.
Most burglars are opportunists. They randomly see a chance to steal and take it, rather than planning it out and, say, bringing a ladder for a second floor robbery.
How Do I Make My First-Floor Apartment Safer?
Many apartment buildings don’t give you a choice of which floor you’ll live on. You’ll move into whichever apartment is vacant regardless of the floor.
If you are living in a first floor apartment, that’s probably how you ended up there, right?
Now that you know you’re more vulnerable to break-ins compared to your neighbors two or three floors up, you might be more nervous than ever.
There’s no need to be. Even when living alone, you can feel totally safe by securing your apartment by following these 6 security tips.
1. Be Sure To Get A “New To You” Key
When you move into your apartment, be sure the managers have switched out the keys and given you a different set than the ones that were used by the previous tenant.
They’re supposed to do this automatically, but not all of them do.
If at all possible, it would be a good idea to install smart locks. With these, you can control who comes and goes via customizable entry codes.
The drawback to a smart lock is that some of the them are huge and you probably won’t be allowed to install it on your apartment door.
But there are others you can likely get away with, like a discreet smart lock that “hides” in the dead bolt of your regular lock.
2. Be Sure To Lock Up
Seriously, be sure your doors and windows are locked – even if you are home. It’s worth it to take an extra minute or two to check and lock them.
A report from the Us Department of Justice notes that, “In 40% of unlawful entries to unoccupied residences, offenders gained access through an unlocked door or window.”
Okay, that statistic was for an unoccupied residence – but do you really want to be home when a burglar is there?
I doubt it, but according to the same report, “A household member was present in roughly 1 million burglaries and became victims of violent crimes in 266,560 burglaries.”
I should also point out that you should use your peep hole. Don’t open the door just because someone knocked on it. It’s not rude to shout through the door – it’s safe!
3. Ask Your Landlord About Installing A Motion Sensor Light
One perk of living on the bottom floor of an apartment complex is you probably have a porch light.
This does bathe some of your property in light, but it doesn’t extend much further beyond the porch or the front steps.
Get in touch with your landlord and ask about whether you can add a motion-sensor light to your property. This way, if someone comes near your door, the light will go off.
Some criminals might be scared away by the light alone. Even if they’re not, when the motion-sensor light is tripped, it indicates to you to be on alert.
You can contact the authorities before the break-in.
Even if you can’t get a motion-sensor light, your landlord might agree to install them within sections of your complex. This is better than nothing.
4. Keep Your Windows Covered
We all enjoy natural light coming into our homes but if someone wanted to, they could probably walk right up to your apartment windows from the parking lot since you’re on the bottom floor, right?
This lets a potential burglar see into your bedroom or living room. There, your nice TV, PlayStation 5, fancy jewelry, or any other valuables are on display.
The burglar will surely be enticed and eager to come in.
If you’re on the ground or first floor, installing curtains or blinds could prevent burglars from peering in to scope out your space.
Geico
When you cover your windows, you obstruct views into your apartment. This will make you feel more private and secure, putting your mind at ease.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy window coverings, either. Curtains or blinds will do.
If you do choose to buy curtains, though, make sure they’re not so gauzy or thin that they’re see through, as that defeats the purpose.
Read about whether no drill bathroom grab bars are safe.
5. Buy A Security System – Preferably With Cameras
Really, an alarm system of some kind is a must for someone living alone in an apartment. They don’t have to be expensive either.
Back when I lived in my apartment, I got a SimpliSafe wireless system that I love and still use in my home. I installed it myself in less than 15 minutes.
The nice thing about the SimpliSafe home security system was that it was mine. I was able to easily move it when I bought my house, so I didn’t have to spend money to get another one.
Also, make sure any security system you get includes a security camera as well so you can track what’s going on outside of your apartment anytime.
With my SimpliSafe, I can check out my camera from the app on my phone whenever I want to.
TIP: If your budget won’t allow you to get a home security system, there are still cheap security hacks and household items you can use to stay safe.
6. Is The Neighborhood Safe?
You can do all that is possible to make your first floor apartment as safe as it can be but all of that may not matter if the neighborhood you are in has a high level of crime.
There are many things to consider when you are looking for a safe place to live, but crime and safety index numbers can be helpful.
For example, if the area you are looking at has very low rates of burglary or murder it might be worth considering that area as your new home!
Learn how to find out if a neighborhood is safe.
Pros And Cons Of Ground Floor Apartments
Although there are more safety issues related to first floor apartments, there are also some very real advantages as well.
So here are the list of pros and cons for you to consider before signing on the dotted line of that lease.
Pros:
- Access to your apartment can be easier for you if you are elderly or disabled
- As we mentioned before, evacuations are much easier in case of a building fire or some other disaster
- Cost of first floor apartments are usually less
- Heat rises so the apartment should be cooler in the summer time saving you on your ac bills
- You don’t have to worry about making noises that would disturb the downstairs neighbors
- If you have small children, a ground floor apartment may provide some access to some outdoor space or easier access to a playground area
Cons
- Since access to the apartment is easier for you, it will also be easier for would be intruders
- Noise levels are usually higher on lower floors because you’re closer to the street level
- Lack of privacy can be an issue since you’ll get more foot traffic in front of your apartment
- Because heat rises the apartment may be colder in the winter meaning your heating bills may be higher
- You may have to deal with noisy upstairs neighbors
- You normally have a better view from a third floor or upper level apartment
Did I Answer Your Question “Is A First Floor Apartment Safe”?
Although first floor apartments can be more vulnerable to a break in, they don’t have to be that way.
By thinking like a burglar and taking the necessary steps to protect it, your ground floor apartment can become a safe and secure retreat.
If you have any tips or ideas for how to stay safe, I’d love to hear them. Please contact me and let me know.
This article has affiliate or sponsored links. If you buy something through those links I may earn a small commission. This won’t cost you extra. I only recommend things I really think are good, not just to make money. For more details, see my Affiliate Disclaimer.