It is never too late to make youself feel safe by taking some measures!

burglar - I hate burglars who steal and damage the house. They are such nuisances.
China
June 18, 2009 9:16am CST
Recently something very bad has happened to our neighbors living below our apartment. I had never thought that there would be burglary in our building as the doors each apartment has was so strong and firm. But it did happen to our neighbor just below our apartment on June 14th, 2009. When I heard this news from my wife, I was so shocked on the phone. There are altogether six families that live in this unit of the building where my family live. At around 8:00 a.m. that morning, it was raining cats and dogs when my wife heard some loud noise in the apartment below ours, but did not pay much attention to it. It was later discovered to have been broken through and open by some burglars. The door was seriously damaged. It was discovered by my son when he came back home from school at noon and he told my wife about what he saw--the damaged door was left wide open and badly out of shape at the bottom. My wife immediately went downstairs to knock at another neighbor's door to see if he knew how to contact this neighbor of ours, who leaves home very early in the morning and gets back home late in the evening with his kids and wife. The burglars stole away their cash and his wife's jewelry in the apartment. We were later told so by the neighbor. While we are so angry at what the burglars did to our neighbor, we are very sorry for the loss of his property as well. From this unexpected case, all of us have realized that we must do something to protect our house to prevent burglars and thieves and strangers from entering our building by having a strong iron door installed at the entrance to our building. We had one installed two days later. Now each member in this unit has to have a key of his or hers before entering. Though it is not so convenient, it is at least safe for us residents in the building. So after reading this true case of ours, do you think that it is a must for you to do something before something unexpected were to happen? Have you had the same case happen to you? What did you do later on? Now we feel safe with the installing of the iron door at the entrance on the first floor. It is never too late to take some actions to help protect your house from being broken through.
4 people like this
12 responses
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
18 Jun 09
I am sorry to hear that. The good news is that your neighbors are safe and sound anyway. I always think that the crimes in Guangzhou is serious. So such kind of crimes seem to be normal here. In fact my dad's home was broken in several years ago. After that, my dad took many measures to avoid it. He uses the electricity lock and you can't even find the lock in the iron door. Of course the balcony, windows etc. all have some equipments. Even we set it at our home. We need to press the electricity lock so that we can enter the house. Otherwise there will be a terrible alarm. My dad also set up the four video cameras in different position. So when he's outside, we can guard the house for him via the net. I love China
1 person likes this
• China
18 Jun 09
Hello dear youless. It is now a well-protected house of your father's as well as your own. I think that it is very safe for you to have all the needed equipment installed, especially when the video cameras are installed in a different position. Take care.
1 person likes this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Nov 09
Thanks for the best response
1 person likes this
• China
20 Nov 09
You are so welcome, youless. Have a good day.
@ptrikha_2 (45544)
• India
1 Jul 09
Well, we have a number of guards in our colony who keep a 24*7 vigil . We pay an annual fees to the security agencies . Also there is a Welfare Committe which looks after the security aspects of the colony . However, individual home security belongs solely to us . Regards
• China
1 Jul 09
It is wise to have guards keeping 24 hours on watch every day in the living quarters. We used to have one as well, but as the residents were not happy with the services they offered, no more guards work there any more...So you see, how important to have guards to protect our property. Best regards to you, my dear friend.
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
19 Jun 09
hello williamjisir, So sorry for what happened to your neighbor. Though I can still say that they're much still lucky for they're all alive. Sure they lost some of their money and jewelries but it's much more painful if the burglar kill anyone of the family. Life can never bereplaced but what they lost can be replaced. Life is getting tougher now a days especially that everything is expensive - from food to education. Not to mention that our salary is just enough for our daily needs. And because of this, lots of people are doing bad to survive and live. Which should not be the case. And for this reason, we should take extra cautious and importance to avoid such things. You are right, putting iron door really of big help. Also be sure that the gate, door is always lack to be safe too.
1 person likes this
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello dear Robert. It is right that we should take extra caution and importance to avoid such things from happening. Take care, friend.
1 person likes this
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
24 Jun 09
dear sir, if you would come to my country.. you would see that it is most common to find 'iron grilles' on every home - especially the ones in towns and cities.. the homes that does not have any 'iron grilles' most probably have an alarm system.. we have had our fair share of burglaries, and break-ins that almost all home owners will 'automatically' install iron-grilles on every door and windows of their homes. i think i have seen 'iron grills' on most homes ever since i was young.. in fact 'iron grills' has become sort of an 'accessories' for our homes - since we have to put them up for security, we might as well put up 'beautiful and fashionable' ones.. this link will show you how 'fashionable' our iron grills are...(NOT REFERAL LINK) http://mydelux.com.my/products/door/
1 person likes this
• China
24 Jun 09
Hello friend. I had a look at the link of the iron grilles. They look very nice and I think that it is a good way to help with the protection and security of the houses and apartments. Thank you for it, 4mymak.
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
19 Jun 09
What happened to your neighbors house is very sad indeed. It could happen to anyone's house anytime. We always lock our door and my family is planning to install alarm. I don't think it's needed because we are in a safe neighborhood. But you never knew what will happen next. I do agree that it's better to be safe than sorry later.
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello reckon. To live in a safe neighborhood is soothing, especially when there is a gatekeeper to watch it for twenty four hours long like some communities in our town. We used to have one, but later for some reason, he is gone. Otherwise no such burglary would have happened to our neighbor. Take care, friend.
@haiershen (1080)
• China
25 Jun 09
i'm sorry to hear what had happened to your neighbour,as you know, the economy have been gone badly, thief would be appered on the any time,do some best to protect your house is a good way,one week ago,it happened on my colleague,his laptop was steal by thief on the working hours.he lived in our company's hostel,and left her laptop at the garderobe in the bedroom,and the gardrobe was locked,at the same times,outside the hoste,there are many security personnel keep gard at door.unfortunately,it had happened, all of us were shocked,so we will be carrying the precious goods with ourself.
1 person likes this
• China
25 Jun 09
Oh, it is really a sad thing to hear about this. I guess that it could have been stolen by someone who worked with you in the same company. Have you ever doubted about it? I wish the laptop of your colleague's would be found some day soon with good luck.
• United States
19 Jun 09
Wow, sorry to hear that. I know your neighbors must feel invaded. Once that happens to you, you just never feel the same. You don't know who did it and just don't know who to trust. (Don't feel comfortable in your own home). I am single parent - always checking and double checking to make sure that doors locked, etc. I make sure my children lock the doors, of course, they feel to cautious, but I have to be. Trying to protect my family. Be safe
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello tiffanymarie. It is a very good habit to always check if the doors and windows are locked for safety. My wife has the habit as well. Take care, friend.
• Malaysia
18 Jun 09
Feeling so sorry on reading your discussion, doleful things that had happened in your neighborhood life. Hopes sooner or later the culprits will be handcuffed. Thanking you as well for a good reminder phrased in your last paragraph, for me to take extra cautions on house safety measures and issues related to it. Especially, to uphold strong relationship with my neighbors.
1 person likes this
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello Michael. It is so true that to hold a strong relationship with the neighbors is very important. My neighbor has reported this burglary to the police station and they came to check it, but found that the burglars used gloves to steal away the things. The footprints were left because of the rainy weather. I hope that this case will be solved soon with the culprits handcuffed to the court...
@loolets2 (106)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Someone broke in my parents garage one night and when they reported it they didn't really do anything so it kind of feels hopeless and powerless because no one can do anything and burglars can get away with anything it seems. It is scary and every night I check the locks and keep watch as best as I can. You can't trust anyone in today's world it seems. I just wish you guys the best of luck!
1 person likes this
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello loolets. I am so sorry to hear that it happened to your parents' garage. Our neighbors have already reported it to the police, but I am wondering whether they could find the clue to catch the burglars. I hope they can some day soon.
@adriken (25)
• United States
18 Jun 09
Someone has broken into my garage twice now. The first time nothing was missing but this last time they took a drill. I am very upset over this and keep thinking that next time it might be my house.
1 person likes this
• China
18 Jun 09
Hello adriken. I am sorry to hear that. I wish you to be more careful.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
18 Jun 09
As for my area, i saw everyone of us had installed the iron grilled door to every house. Even we installed the iron grilled to our window as well. Just like what you said, taking some safety precaution is a must. Actually, a few years ago, my area ever happened a few burglary cases. One of my neighbor ever lost a few expensive things like laptop, jewelleries and cash money when their house was broke into by burglars. Because of these few cases, now everyone of us started to installed the iron grilled door for safety....
• China
18 Jun 09
Hello myfb. It is wise of you all to have this measure taken to protect your houses.
@cbjones (1147)
• United States
18 Jun 09
Sorry to hear about your neighbor. It's a tragic fact that some people in this world choose to advance in life at the expense of others. Everyone tends to think it could never happen to them. Sometimes, these are people who absolutely refuse to take simple steps to secure their homes. Nowadays, a simple lock and chain may not be enough. I like the idea of having an iron door. Seems like it would work well enough to keep the common burglar out without any problems. If I hand the funds, I'd take it one step further by building myself an iron house. I'd also hire a guy to sit in a watch tower on the roof, and fire off Nerf footballs from a custom built air cannon. Not sure if that part would actually encourage people to try and break in, but it would be cool none the less.
1 person likes this
• China
19 Jun 09
Hello cbjones. All of us neighbors living in this building had a meeting together and made the conclusion to have this iron door built to prevent strangers from coming in after this incident. In fact, my wife suggested doing so years ago, but none of them would follow. Anyway it is good that it is now installed or built at the entrance. It is never too late to get the iron door installed. Thank you for the response, my dear friend.