Apartment living can have its ups and downs, especially when it comes to safety. When you own a home, your safety is your responsibility but when you are renting an apartment, you leave the task up to someone else.
But, there’s no reason you shouldn’t feel just as safe in an apartment as a house. Here are a few things apartment dwellers can do to ensure their own safety.
Ask Questions
Before choosing an apartment building, there are certain questions you should ask landlords or building managers regarding safety. Some things might be obvious at first glance but you should make sure that you are well-informed about all the safety features the complex offers, or doesn’t.
Some things you should ask:
- Is it a gated community?
- How many entrances are there to one building?
- Can you add your own additional locks or safety features?
- Are there safety attendants in the parking garage (if there is one?)
- Are the grounds monitored?
Simply put, be informed.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
While this is true in any setting (house, condo, etc.) in the close quarters of an apartment building, being familiar with your neighbors, their comings and goings, and even people who frequently visit them can be extremely helpful. This will make it easier to recognize when people are in the building that shouldn’t be. It will also help neighbors to keep an eye on your apartment and let you know if there has been any suspicious activity.
Plan for Long Absences
Similar to owning a home, there are certain things that will make it obvious that an apartment is empty. While you don’t have to worry about making sure your grass is mowed, here are a few things to consider when leaving your apartment vacant.
- Where will your mail go?
- Will newspapers pile up outside your door?
- Will the apartment appear empty/dark?
This is when it will be helpful to know your neighbors, as you can ask them to get your mail or bring in your newspapers.
Add Your Own Safety Features
While you need to check with the apartment building before adding any features, the Nightlock Door Brace is a simple security feature to add to any door or double door. When in the locked position, it stands strong when deadbolts fail. And, its simple installation makes it easy to add and remove from an apartment, leaving behind minimal marks.
Secure ALL Entrances
The Nightlock Patio works the same as the Nightlock Door Brace and helps to secure one of the most vulnerable entrances to a home or apartment, the patio door. First-floor apartments are especially vulnerable to break-ins, especially if they have a porch or patio with a sliding door. These are very easy to break and difficult to secure. The door lock can be installed to any type of floor and is also easy to remove.
Moving into an apartment doesn’t have to mean trusting your safety to a landlord. Take home security into your own hands and feel safe in your apartment.
