Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Calis Beach Questions and Information => Topic started by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 14:10:33 PM

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 14:10:33 PM
Hi There CBF Members,

I am arriving in Turkey in late April when hopefully the Tapu for my new apartment will be ready.

I have been reading up on the security question on past CBF posts and now realise that there may be more of a problem with break ins than I had at first anticipated.

Although the apartment is in the residential area of Akarca, I only intend to be in Turkey for six months of each year.
There was an awful lot of advice and helpful tips in the past posts on the security question all of which I intend to follow up.

In the end though, is having metal security doors and window protection, appropriately fitted of course, the best protection?

I would really appreciate from those of you in the know your thoughts and experiences on this subject.

Many thanks in advance from,

Heather.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Ian on March 16, 2008, 14:22:29 PM
Heather - I am naturally cautious and we are on the first floor but we looked into this for the same reasons as you and concluded that window bars properly fitted and window locks are a  must.

I thought they would spoil the appearance but as everyone assured me that was not a problem and you really don't notice them after a few days.

Since we bought 3 years ago I walk around and see more and more locals with bars fitted and that tells you all you need to know.

What worried me most was the fact that break ins appear to be more frequent when you arrive as you have all your possessions, mobile, cameras, cash etc and at my age I really don't need anything giving me a jolt in the night!

I am not saying it is rife - and it is reported as often being people from outside of town coming in for the season but it is just better to be safe than sorry from the outset.

Ian
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: amanda bullock on March 16, 2008, 14:25:59 PM
Grills and shutters are definately the best way to protect your property,as long as you don't mind the look of them.I think it boils down to personel preference really.We don't like the look of them so have never bothered.To be honest you won't be tempting any  thieves with a vacant property.They prefer you to be in.LOL
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Karennina on March 16, 2008, 15:03:16 PM
Hi Heather
We bought our apartment in May last year and had security grills fitted on our doors and windows in August, our neighbours were burgled on the day they moved in, we had moved in to ours on the same day, but decided to stay with my cousin that night as we hadnt finished organising the apartment and it was getting late.
I am so glad we did because our neighbours getting burgled put a bit of a dampers on our "dream", I could not sleep properly at night until those bars were up and it is true within three days we did not notice them you just get used to them. I was a little annoyed with the agent that showed us the property as he said "there is no crime in Calis" obviously there is crime everywhere but I suppose I was a little naive! From our experiences I would say get them fitted.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Yetkin on March 16, 2008, 15:17:19 PM
Hi Heather dont worry please i am going to move to your complex in 3 weeks and i will live there,i dont think we can have problem there  
My dog will be there too :)
(http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/49473/2004211534038392916_rs.jpg)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: doll on March 16, 2008, 15:43:23 PM
is really is personal choice most turkish have the bars fitted
make sure they are drilled well in to the stonework(so cant be prised off)
it makes sence if you away for long periods of time,
i hope your dog is not watchin tv allday yetkin
he ll get bad eyes.... a dog is a good thing to have too but very tying to turkey.
i think the average price is about £600. depending on how many,dont forget mossi nets too.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 15:56:27 PM
Hi Yetkin,

Are you teasing me about moving to the Ege,complex or have you bought one of the lovely houses facing the sea front?

I certainly won't be worrying if you are around!
Heather.

quote:
Originally posted by Yetkin

Hi Heather dont worry please i am going to move to your complex in 3 weeks and i will live there,i dont think we can have problem there  
My dog will be there too :)
(http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/49473/2004211534038392916_rs.jpg)

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 15:59:54 PM
Many Thanks Doll,

I have already paid for the mozzie nets to be put in to the property but had not realised the extent of the break in problem at that stage.

Thank you for your advice. Best wishes,

Heather.

quote:
Originally posted by doll

is really is personal choice most turkish have the bars fitted
make sure they are drilled well in to the stonework(so cant be prised off)
it makes sence if you away for long periods of time,
i hope your dog is not watchin tv allday yetkin
he ll get bad eyes.... a dog is a good thing to have too but very tying to turkey.
i think the average price is about £600. depending on how many,dont forget mossi nets too.

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 16:04:17 PM
Many Thanks Derek and Karen,

Thank you for telling me about your experience and for the Good advice. Sounds like you had a lucky escape!

Best Wishes,

Heather.

quote:
Originally posted by DerekandKaren

Hi Heather
We bought our apartment in May last year and had security grills fitted on our doors and windows in August, our neighbours were burgled on the day they moved in, we had moved in to ours on the same day, but decided to stay with my cousin that night as we hadnt finished organising the apartment and it was getting late.
I am so glad we did because our neighbours getting burgled put a bit of a dampers on our "dream", I could not sleep properly at night until those bars were up and it is true within three days we did not notice them you just get used to them. I was a little annoyed with the agent that showed us the property as he said "there is no crime in Calis" obviously there is crime everywhere but I suppose I was a little naive! From our experiences I would say get them fitted.

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 16:08:38 PM
Thank You Amanda,

I know what you mean about the look of the grills and shutters, It seems a shame.
On the other hand I will be spending most of the time alone in the apartment apart from when friends and family come to stay.

As you say, horses and courses I guess!

Best Wishes,

Heather.


quote:
Originally posted by amanda bullock

Grills and shutters are definately the best way to protect your property,as long as you don't mind the look of them.I think it boils down to personel preference really.We don't like the look of them so have never bothered.To be honest you won't be tempting any  thieves with a vacant property.They prefer you to be in.LOL

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 16:16:56 PM
Hi Ian,

Thank you for telling me about your experience and for your recommendations, they are very much appreciated. My apartment also is on the first floor and is a duplex, it has two terraces, one being a roof terrace the other off the principle bedroom, also one of the guest bedrooms also has a door and balcony. Quite a few ways in when you think about it!
 Hope the wedding plans are going well?
Best Wishes,

Heather.


quote:
Originally posted by Ian

Heather - I am naturally cautious and we are on the first floor but we looked into this for the same reasons as you and concluded that window bars properly fitted and window locks are a  must.

I thought they would spoil the appearance but as everyone assured me that was not a problem and you really don't notice them after a few days.

Since we bought 3 years ago I walk around and see more and more locals with bars fitted and that tells you all you need to know.

What worried me most was the fact that break ins appear to be more frequent when you arrive as you have all your possessions, mobile, cameras, cash etc and at my age I really don't need anything giving me a jolt in the night!

I am not saying it is rife - and it is reported as often being people from outside of town coming in for the season but it is just better to be safe than sorry from the outset.

Ian

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Yetkin on March 16, 2008, 16:20:13 PM
Hi Heather ,
I was serious i am going to live there  :)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 16:21:38 PM
Heather darling :D

There is no need to quote everything that someone else said when you reply to them - you are making my pages too long  ;)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 16:24:01 PM
Sorry Keith,

Will try to be brief!....How was that?



quote:
Originally posted by Scunner

Heather darling :D

There is no need to quote everything that someone else said when you reply to them - you are making my pages too long  ;)

Title: Advice Please.
Post by: amanda bullock on March 16, 2008, 16:35:56 PM
which is more worrying for the burglars.Yetkin or that huge dog!!!!having met Yetkin I'm not too sure!!!!lol
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: suzi Q on March 16, 2008, 16:35:58 PM
Heather we too didn't think about having bars fitted until our neighbour got burgled. She is on the first floor and actually caught a guy on her balcony during the night. We are on the second floor and they have tried to get in our patio doors by prising them open with a screwdriver we know this from the damage. This means they have climbed up either by using the air con units or drainpipe not thinking twice about whether they might fall.
So we had them fitted last october. Yes they don't look that great but you just get used to them. We have lost a bit of room on our balconys but feel more reassured, especially when we are not in Turkey.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: cef on March 16, 2008, 16:57:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by amanda bullock

Grills and shutters are definately the best way to protect your property,as long as you don't mind the look of them.I think it boils down to personel preference really.We don't like the look of them so have never bothered.To be honest you won't be tempting any  thieves with a vacant property.They prefer you to be in.LOL



I'm surprised that getting burgled didn't change your mind about the look of Bars/Shutters Amanda. I'd rather feel safe than sorry.

Heather  :), belated welcome to CBF, hope you'll be happy in your Turkish retreat  :)  I see you've arranged excellent security in the area :D
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 16:59:36 PM
You don't need to be brief!!

Just click on reply to topic rather than reply with quote.

I need a holiday
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: amanda bullock on March 16, 2008, 17:00:51 PM
stop wingeing!
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 17:09:01 PM
Hi Amanda,
Having met both I would say Yetkin!
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 17:14:47 PM
Hoorah

For your information Bullo, it isn't "whingeing" it's "administrating". :D
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 17:15:16 PM
Sorry Keith, Iv'e got the hang of it now. Could I suggest Turkey as a wonderfully relaxing holiday destination ;)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 17:18:45 PM
Suzi Q, Wow! sounds like they were really determined. Has really made me think. Many thanks.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 17:20:34 PM
Not my experience of Turkey to be honest  ;)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 16, 2008, 17:21:50 PM
Thank you Cef, Yes, the extra security has come as quite a surprise!
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: julesbob0303 on March 16, 2008, 17:29:54 PM
We are coming out to our apartment next weekend and I am really worried about all the burglaries I keep reading about.  Our apartment is on the first floor, and when we had some furniture delivered last time we were over, they delivered it OVER the front balcony (scratching my brand new railings, which I was not impressed about) with no problem at all, jumping on the lower railings to reach up to ours!  (The furniture included beds, wardrobes etc!)

I am concerned at how easy and quick it was for them to climb up to our apartment, moreso when we come over as our kids will be on the lower floor, as the master bedroom is upstairs.

I am arranging for some extra locks to be fitted to all patio doors and windows when we arrive, so hopefully it wont be quite so easy to access from the outside.

I suppose I should think about bars too.  I didn't realise how big a problem burglaries were in the Calis area.  (Friends of ours were burgled in Olu Deniz last summer, whilst they were out during the day, but on their very first visit to their new villa.)

Julie
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 17:46:57 PM
Keep it in proportion though, it isn't rife. In fact, it isn't as bad as it was. It still happens of course so window/door locks, leaving a light on, having (AND USING!) a safe and possibly window bars (although I won't have them).

Also be aware that it is often the case that they happen within 24 hours of your arrival, so use safes from the time you arrive, don't leave mobile phones, wallets, cash etc. lying around to sort out in the morning.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: buddy on March 16, 2008, 22:11:02 PM
Yetkin, that's a big dog and does he work-out with the dumbells.
Buddy
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: tinkerman on March 16, 2008, 22:12:49 PM
no just the drums
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Yetkin on March 16, 2008, 22:55:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by buddy

Yetkin, that's a big dog and does he work-out with the dumbells.
Buddy



Yes she does  :)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: buddy on March 16, 2008, 23:03:15 PM
My kind of girl
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: kenkay on March 16, 2008, 23:56:27 PM
Heather, the choice to have or not have security bars is very dependent on the location and type of your property. We are on a complex of 20 apartments and I think it would look awful if bars were fitted to all or some of the properties. However we do have 24 hour security all year round. If I had a detached villa I would not hesitate with bars and would also instal lights.
Ken  8)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Scunner on March 16, 2008, 23:57:41 PM
I think most properties have lights Ken, we've had electricity for a while here  ;)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 17, 2008, 10:54:21 AM
Hi Ken,
Yes, I agree with you about the look of bars and would seriously prefer not to have them.

The problem is, that I will be on my own a good deal of the time unless family or friends are visiting me in Turkey.

I can't help thinking that I would be an easy target for anyone keeping an eye on which places to target.

I would also like to sleep with the patio doors open in the hot weather and that seems pretty impossible even on a first floor apartment given that people have been broken into while they are asleep.

So, all in all, quite a conundrum really. I have to say that I have been very surprised to hear of the number people on this forum
that have been been broken into, or that have friends and  relatives
who have been affected. Many thanks for your post and advice. Best wishes,

Heather.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: incir on March 17, 2008, 12:02:08 PM
Heather don't worry too much.  A friend of ours stays alone her house for the best part of six months.  It's not on a complex, down a lane and she's always been fine.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: tribalelder on March 17, 2008, 12:08:42 PM
For about 50 YTL you can buy a movement sensor alarm....It wont stop anybody getting in but it will sure as hell let you know and it is more than likely any intruder will leg it. I have three installed covering various access points. I was burgled in 2006 whilst asleep but since installing these I sleep easy. :)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 17, 2008, 14:14:11 PM
Hi Rosalyn,

That's good to know. Thank you very much for your post. Best wishes,

Heather.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 17, 2008, 14:19:51 PM
Thank you Brian. I have read on the forum about the these devices and will look into getting some when in Turkey. Could you tell me where you bought yours? Also, can they be fitted outside on the terrace or do you attach them to the doors?

Best Wishes, Heather.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Shamless2 on March 17, 2008, 16:08:13 PM
We had wrought iron window and door bar's fitted also with mozzie nets when the apartment was first built 3 years ago, I think it looks alot nicer with them than without, the apartment opposite us does not have bars fitted and in my opinion does not look as nice, also they were burgled last year while they were in the apartment.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: tribalelder on March 17, 2008, 17:57:11 PM
We got our alarms From the Locksmith Atilla Kahraman, almost opposite the garage next to the Fire station in Fethiye They are not weatherproof so are normally fitted high up inside in positions where they would pick up intruder movement such as hallways entrances etc and cannot easily be reached. It is easy to work out where to place them for best coverage but Atilla who speaks English will advise you and for a small fee will fit them. :)
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 17, 2008, 20:38:28 PM
Hi Shameless2,

Thank you for your thoughts and advice, it's much appreciated. Lot's for me to think about.

Best Wishes,

Heather.
Title: Advice Please.
Post by: Heather Davis on March 17, 2008, 20:40:43 PM
Thank You Brian,

I have made a note of that locksmith and will pay him a visit!  :)