Keeping Your Flat Safe in Spain
Talking about locks, break-ins and keeping an eye on things in a Spanish block of flats.
Most people in Spanish cities live in flats with a shared street door (el portal), a residents' association (la comunidad) and roller shutters on the windows. Security talk revolves around double-locking, reinforced doors, changing the lock cylinder and asking neighbours to keep an eye out. The cards follow a Madrid building after an attempted break-in, from the landing chat to a locksmith's quote.
- 1
Siempre echo la llave, incluso de día.
I always lock the door, even during the day.
- 2
Esta cerradura es vieja y no aguanta nada.
This lock is old and flimsy.
- 3
Por lo menos dale dos vueltas a la llave.
At least double-lock it when you go out.
- 4
Han intentado entrar a robar en el segundo.
Someone tried to break in on the second floor.
- 5
¿Llegaron a entrar?
Did they actually get in?
- 6
No abras el portal a nadie que no conozcas.
Don't open the street door to anyone you don't know.
- 7
Mira por la mirilla antes de abrir.
Look through the peephole before you open.
- 8
Merecería la pena cambiar el bombín.
It'd be worth changing the lock cylinder.
- 9
¿Cuánto costaría una puerta blindada?
How much would an armoured door cost?
- 10
Le hago un presupuesto sin compromiso.
I'll give you a free, no-obligation quote.
- 11
Cuando te vayas de vacaciones, deja las persianas a medio bajar.
When you go on holiday, leave the blinds half down.
- 12
Para que parezca que hay alguien en casa.
So it looks like someone's home.
- 13
¿Puedes echarle un ojo al piso mientras estoy fuera?
Can you keep an eye on the flat while I'm away?
- 14
¿Me recoges el correo del buzón?
Could you pick up my post from the letterbox?
- 15
Nunca dejes la llave debajo del felpudo.
Never leave a key under the doormat.
- 16
Vamos a poner alarma, que me da tranquilidad.
Let's get an alarm, it gives me peace of mind.
- 17
La puerta del portal no cierra bien.
The street door doesn't shut properly.
- 18
Habría que decírselo a la comunidad.
We should tell the residents' association.
- 19
He perdido las llaves y me he quedado fuera.
I've lost my keys and I'm locked out.
- 20
Habrá que llamar a un cerrajero.
We'll have to call a locksmith.