Motion sensors are a critical part of any apartment security system, however, the effectiveness of a motion sensor depends greatly on how and where it is mounted. A properly mounted motion sensor can secure an entire apartment.
What is the best place to install a security motion sensor in an apartment?
The best placement of a motion sensor in an apartment is high on a wall or in the corner of a room NOT facing a window or glass door. Place it about 10 feet away from heating vents. Do NOT place motion sensors facing a curtain that may move from air conditioner flow. Motion sensors detect movement from side to side but are less effective when the movement is head-on front to back.
Think about the path a burglar may use to get to the main bedroom (the target of most home burglaries.)
Apartment security is different than home security:
As a renter, you should keep this fact in mind: According to the National Crime Prevention Council, apartments are 80 percent more likely to be burglarized than a single-family home. Why? There are a lot more residents and a lot more traffic in an apartment complex. Apartments are less likely to have a security system or security measures in general.
More importantly, some old tenants may have a key to your apartment!
Is there a security system for a small apartment?
As a renter, you cannot make permanent modifications to your doors or windows to make them more secure. Your landlord is not likely to spend the extra money.
Luckily, you purchase your own security system and use removable adhesive tape (like 3M command strips) to mount the sensors. A security system for a one-bedroom apartment can be as simple as a hub and one motion detector. If you move out, you can take it with you.
Keeping all that in mind, here are some great guidelines for apartment or condo motion sensor placement
1. Think like a thief:
Before we get into the exact height, feet and inches, and walls, let’s take a moment to think like a thief. Most home burglaries target the master bedroom (jewelry and cash.) If you are a bachelor, think about protecting your valuable electronics, TV, and gaming PC. You can place the motion sensor in the target room, or the hallway or path to the target room.
2. Think like a professional thief:
If your home or apartment is targeted (rather than being a random victim of a burglary), then you must do your best to conceal your security sensors. Your motion detector can go on a shelf between books or decorations. Try your best to hide your motion sensor without blocking its view. You can also mount your sensor on the ceiling, where it is both effective and unexpected.
A professional burglar may bypass the first level of your home or apartment and climb through the window of the second. Make sure you have each floor covered (especially where the bedroom is.)
3. Eagle-eye – Maximize your view:
The majority of motion sensors can effectively cover areas (in the shape of a cone or pyramid) up to 50 feet (15 meters) and angels (side to side) of 100 degrees of more. Try to take advantage of the full range of your sensor. For example, do not place your motion detector it in a small hallway where you only get a few feet of range, rather, place it in the room leading to the hallway. That way you cover an entire room, plus any movement into or out of the hallway.
4. Maximize your view:
Here is where NOT to place your motion sensor:
- Motion sensors can be triggered by heat changes. Do not place your sensor close to heating or cooling vents. Stay about 10 feet (3m) away.
- Directly across a window, or glass sliding door, patio door, …etc. Why? The heat of the sun and motion outside your window may confuse your sensor and trigger a false alarm.
- Right above a door: People walk towards and away from doors. Motion sensors are most effective detecting motion from side to side, not front to back.
- Across from moving objects (think air blown curtains, ceiling fans….etc.) Have you read my birthday balloon scare at the beginning of this article?
5. Maximize your view:
Most security systems have a delayed trigger for an entry sensor (if you open the door, the alarm will give you 30 seconds to enter your pin before sounding the alarm and contacting the police.) But, most security systems have instant trigger motion detectors (meaning as soon as motion is detected, the alarm sounds and the police are called). Keep that in mind when choosing the best place to mount the motion sensor. If the sensor is facing the front door directly, you may trigger the alarm as soon as you open the front door.
6. How high should a motion detector be mounted?
About 6ft (1.8m) high, with a few exceptions (see the next point.) For best coverage and range, mount in a corner. You can also mount on the ceiling where you still get great coverage, but burglars are less likely to check.
7. Pet Peeve:
New types of sensors are designed or programmed to ignore small animals and pets. Check the manual for your motion sensor. Here are some tips to make any motion sensor almost pet-proof:
Motion detectors work best (meaning widest view and coverage) when installed at a height of about 6ft (approx 2m.) If you set your sensor higher (around 8ft or 2.5m) it may help prevent the motion from being set off by small pets. The best (and only way) to make sure your sensor ignores your pet and screams when a person is in the room is to test it. Put your alarm in test mode, then lure your pet in the room, and then walk into the room. Keep adjusting the height or covering up a portion of the sensor or lens until you get the desired effect.
8. Test, test, and then re-test:
So did you place your motion detector in the right place? There is only one way to really answer this question: Test your system. Test your system in the light, in the dark, during heating, and air conditioning. Test your system once every three months. This will help you check if the battery is weak, if your sensor is losing range, or if it has moved from your original mounting position.
9. Be Creative:
As long as you test, test, and re-test, you do not have to abide by any guidelines. You can be creative and place your motion detector anywhere you see fit, as long as you test your system and assure that it detects and protects your home or apartment exactly as you wish.
10. Be Prepared for the Unexpected!
A few days after my son’s birthday, we went on a weekend getaway. It was a two-hour drive. Half an hour in, I got a notification on my phone that our home security alarm went off. The motion sensor was triggered. Did we close all the doors? Did we leave a window open? I turned around and drove back home. I met the police officer at home. Everything was locked, no window open. What happened? It was a birthday party balloon! The balloon floated about the room as the air from the air conditioner moved it. I had considered many factors when I installed the motion sensor, but I did not factor in a floating balloon!
What other measures can I take to make my apartment more secure?
The most effective security measures are usually the cheapest (most are free). Use common sense:
- Get to know your neighbors. Having good relations with your neighbors meaning having people who care keep a watchful eye on your apartment.
- Do not flaunt your valuables. Keep your valuables out of sight, especially when you have strangers –such the plumber, or a friend of a friend- in your apartment.
- Replace dead light bulbs. Criminals lurk in the dark, if the hall bulb(s) are out, ask the landlord to replace them.
- SecureHomeHero has the best articles to assure your security and the security of your family on any budget and for any size home.