By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Gated does not mean safe
A gated complex with guards and cameras deters most casual crime, but flat break-ins still happen in Bangalore — often when families are away for festivals or holidays, through main doors with weak locks, or through balconies reachable from pipes, ledges or neighbouring flats. Theft by people who already have access, such as workers or visitors waved through, is also common. Your own flat needs its own layer of security on top of what the association provides.
The main door
- A solid wooden or steel security door with a strong frame.
- A quality mortise lock or smart lock, plus a deadbolt or night latch.
- A safety door or grill door outside the main door, if the building allows.
- A wide-angle door viewer or, better, a video door phone.
- Reinforced hinges and a door chain for answering strangers.
Seeing who is at the door
A video door phone outside your flat lets you see and talk to visitors without opening the door, and records who came while you were out. Many models also send a call to your phone. In apartments, check with the association before fixing anything in the common corridor; most allow a small door camera or doorbell on your own door frame.
Video door phone vs Wi-Fi doorbell →A camera outside your door
A small camera covering your doorstep and the corridor just outside records anyone tampering with the lock or leaving with parcels. Point it at your own door and avoid looking into neighbours’ flats. Combine it with one indoor camera facing the main door from inside, set to alert only when you are away.
Main Door Security for Flats and Houses →Balconies and windows
Flats on lower floors, and those next to pipes, ledges or terraces, are vulnerable through balconies and windows. Invisible grills, sliding door locks and window sensors close these routes without spoiling the view.
Balcony and window security →Alarm sensors
- Door contact on the main door and balcony doors.
- A motion sensor in the passage.
- Siren inside the flat and phone alerts.
- Smoke and gas detectors in the kitchen.
- Arm it when you go out or travel; disarm with a keypad, card or app.
Working with the association
| Ask the association to | Why |
|---|---|
| Cover lift lobbies and staircases on every floor with CCTV | Tracks who reached your floor |
| Use visitor approval through an app | No one reaches your door without your OK |
| Log and verify workers and delivery staff | Most flat thefts involve someone with access |
| Keep CCTV recordings at least 30 days | Thefts are often noticed late |
| Secure terrace and service staircase doors | Common hidden entry routes |
Before you travel
- Arm the alarm and check camera alerts on your phone.
- Put valuables in a bank locker or a bolted safe.
- Ask the security desk to note you are away and not let anyone in.
- Use timers or smart lights so the flat looks lived in.
An example
A family in a second-floor flat in Electronic City came back from a Diwali trip to find nothing missing — but the corridor camera showed two men trying their door at 3 am, then leaving after the alarm siren sounded inside. The association used the footage and lobby cameras to trace them to the service staircase, which was then locked at night.
Get your flat secured
We install video door phones, smart locks, cameras and alarms for flats, with work kept neat and within association rules.
Security for apartments →Quick answers
Do I need security if my apartment has guards?+
Yes. Guards cover the gate; your door, balcony and windows need their own protection.
Can I put a camera outside my flat door?+
Usually yes, pointing at your own door, with the association’s agreement for common corridors.
What is the most important upgrade for a flat?+
A strong main door with a good lock, and a video door phone so you never open to strangers.
Are ground and first-floor flats riskier?+
Often yes, because balconies and windows are easier to reach.
How do I protect my flat when on holiday?+
Arm an alarm, store valuables safely, inform security and use smart lights.