10 Effective Steps to Prevent Hong Kong Apartment Break-Ins
- Adit Bhatnagar
- Sep 22, 2023
- 5 min read
Hong Kong apartments are vital to the city, as they accommodate alarge population. The taller the building, the more apartments and residents there are.
In 2024, there were 1,220 Hong Kong apartment burglaries. Hong Kong is known worldwide as safe and well-developed, but that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t exist.
Any apartment lacking building or resident security can be a victim of break-ins and home theft. Even the safest neighbourhood has at least a few apartment break-ins, especially when no one is home. Hence, every Hong Kong resident must have appropriate home security to prevent break-ins.
10 Steps to Prevent Hong Kong Apartment Break-Ins
1. Analyse Apartment Building Security
Each building is meant to have some level of security. However, if you have lived in Hong Kong for a while, you will know that not all building security is safe. Some buildings have poor security, with sleeping guards, broken CCTV cameras, and free-to-enter main doors.
The first step in preventing break-ins in your Hong Kong apartment is to analyse your building’s security and determine whether it is safe. This step might prevent you from moving into or leaving an unsafe building.
Secure and modern buildings may cost a bit more, but knowing the security is high makes it all worth it. A building with cameras, door codes and guest registry can help avoid a considerable chance of break-ins and burglaries. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything on your part.
2. Examine Doors and Windows
If a burglar makes it through the building security, they will enter your apartment through the door or window. Many believe window break-ins are impossible in Hong Kong, but criminals have beenclimbing pipes or climbing down from the roof to get into open windows.
Therefore, to protect your apartment whether you are home or not – you must examine the main door and window. Your door lock may be easy to break, or your window may not completely close. Either way, a criminal may find a way to get in and steal all your valuables.
If your door or window is not secure enough, it’s time to take action and ensure it can be locked and closed effectively.
3. Invest In Home Security Cameras
Most buildings have cameras in every corner of the public area (lobby & lift) but lack cameras on each floor. Thus, no one will know if a criminal tries to break into an empty home until it is too late.
This is why Hong Kong apartment residents must install security cameras on their front doors. The camera can record activity at the door, scare criminals or even be used as proof (for the police).
The camera does not have to be complicated technology; the market has many small cameras that anyone can install in the peephole and run on batteries. Additionally, many home security cameras provide live footage you can observe when you are not at home.
4. Consider Smart Security Technology
Innovative technology has been integrated into most fields, including home security. Innovative home security technology can include fingerprint locks, motion detection lights, break-in alarms, and, as mentioned, cameras.
Innovative security technology can alert you and the authorities when there has been a break-in or even an attempt. Users can connect the technology to their phones and even allow voice commands.
The features can be extremely useful in preventing break-ins in Hong Kong apartments and observing delivery activities. A lack of security can turn a delivery into a burglary.
5. Get To Know Your Neighbours
Talking to neighbours may not be as common in a busy city like Hong Kong, but it can be helpful. Getting to know neighbours can help you understand whether you can trust them. When you trust neighbours after a few months, you can exchange spare keys or tell them to watch your home while you are away.
This step should be taken with precaution as not everyone is friendly, and some neighbours will not appreciate it.
6. Keep Doors and Windows Locked
There are many occasions when break-ins occur, even when residents are inside. Some people do not lock their doors or windows when they are home. Burglars can always break in while asleep in your room and steal everything.
It is vital to lock windows and doors to prevent the chance of a Hong Kong apartment break-in at night. To be as secure as possible, doors should only be opened when leaving or entering the apartment.
7. Store Valuables Safely
No matter how safe you think your home or neighbourhood is, valuables should be stored safely and secretly. If there is a slight chance of a break-in, you do not want to make it easy for the criminal. Assets like jewellery should be stored in password-protected safes.
Additionally, consider bolting safes to a wall or heavy furniture. This prevents the criminal from just stealing the safe and breaking it on their own. Ideally, no valuables should be left outside, but this is almost impossible with TVs, laptops, and valuable art.
8. Don’t Share Security Details
Regarding home security, being secretive and private is crucial to prevent break-ins. We recommend not sharing security details with friends, family or delivery drivers. Family and friends can be trusted, but the details may be spread if they lose their phone.
On the other hand, while providing building codes to delivery drivers may make your life easier, it could also be misused. Delivery drivers may use the code late at night to find a way to break in.
These security details can also include front door codes, the type of security system, or hidden keys.
9. Be Mindful of Your Social Media Posts
With the constant use of social media, accidently promoting your Hong Kong apartment to criminals is very easy. There is always a chance one of your followers isn’t following you for the right reasons.
It is common for burglars to follow people on social media to track their whereabouts. Therefore, you should not post too much about leaving for holidays, your holiday pictures, new expensive home buys or your internal apartment.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t post holiday pictures at all – but try to post them after the holiday. Also, be mindful of who is following you and avoid accepting unknown accounts.
10. Purchase Home Insurance
Home insurance is one of the best home security strategies for dealing with break-ins. Although insurance may not prevent break-ins or theft, it will help you deal with loss and unfortunate situations.
Home insurance will cover asset and structure damage or loss due to fires, floods, natural disasters and theft. The policy is necessary for everyone, whether you own or rent your Hong Kong apartment. Even renters need tenant insurance, while landlords need landlord insurance. The insurance will NOT cover any Hong Kong apartment without basic security measures, as it is easy to break in.
It is essential to understand that home insurance will only cover your apartment if it has a modern form of home security.
To Learn More about home insurance and protect your apartment in Hong Kong & Asia, contact Red Asia Insurance.
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