How to Stay Safe in an Apartment

Not everyone feels safe in their home. Some people may argue that living in an apartment building is safer than living in a home. Not everyone would agree with this, not even the locksmiths of Tuckahoe Locksmith Services in Tuckahoe, VA. We know that no matter where you live, there will be threats to your safety and security. The only way to avoid becoming a victim is to make sure you take the proper steps to ensure your safety and security. Take note of some of the precautions you can take and you will stand a better chance of avoiding an incident that could put you in harms-way. We have come up with a few things that we think you can benefit from. By implementing some of these things, you can avoid becoming a victim of a break-in.

Prior to moving in:

Request a Crime Report

You may not think that you need this and that you can simply rely on others in the neighborhood to inform you of any problems. The problem with this is that your neighbors may not even be aware of the crime in the area. If they have never requested a crime report, they likely have no idea what types of crimes are committed in your area. You could ask your leasing agent if they can offer you some insight into any crime that takes place in the area but since they want to get you into an apartment, they may not always be the most reliable resource. We would suggest that you visit the local police department and request a crime report for the area. They are usually happy to assist you in this regard. If you don’t have time to stop by the police department, we would recommend that you at least go online to find out what you can about the crime in the area at CrimeMapping.com or CrimeReports.com.

Have Old Locks Replaced with New Locks

If you have the existing locks replaced it assures you that no one who has a key will be able to get inside. It also serves to provide you with peace-of-mind. If you move into an apartment complex, this is supposed to be done automatically. However, in our years of being in the locksmith business, we have had many requests from maintenance departments to take locks from another apartment and place them on the doors of another unit. This is dangerous because someone likely still has a key to the lock. No matter where the lock is located, it needs to be changed to protect you from the possibility of someone breaking in. We would even suggest that you take another step and buy your own locks to ensure that the locks on your doors are, in fact, brand new locks. You can never be too safe. Just like other businesses, apartment complexes also try to cut corners and save money. Take matters into your own hands by having the needed lock or locks available.

Observe the Upkeep of the Property

Since basic upkeep of the property should be adhered to, it should set off alarms if you notice that the basic upkeep is lacking. The reason for this is because if they do not pay attention to this matter, it is unlikely that they will give the safety and security of the tenants much consideration. Before you take up occupancy of an apartment, you should walk around the property at different parts of the day. Pay attention to the following things. Trash in the parking lot, trash overflowing in the bins, cracked drywell, leaks, broken lights and broken windows. These types of things are a good indication of the lack of attention management is giving to the property. You should be highly concerned for your safety in a building like this.

Make Sure You Have a Peephole

You might not think this is a big deal, especially if you really like the apartment. We assure you that the peephole is important. This small but significant thing can alert you to whoever is at your door without your opening it to find out. If you open the door to a stranger, you’re putting your safety at jeopardy. Anyone can pose as someone just to gain access into your apartment but if you can see them for yourself, you may be more favorable to allowing them inside your home. If you notice that your apartment doesn’t have a peephole, make the inquiry as to how you can have one installed. Don’t back down, even if they seem to ignore your request.

Now that you know what type of things you can do as a precaution to avoiding a break-in, you should also consider what you can do to remain safe even after you’ve moved into your new place.

After Moving In:

Secure Any Sliding Patio Doors

This is a door that is often overlooked by most tenants. When you notice that you have a sliding glass door go right out and by a bar lock or get a bar that you can place across the tracks of the sliding door. This will prevent anyone from getting inside. The lock that is on most sliding doors is there simply to keep the door shut, not to secure your home.

Cover-up

You may feel comfortable living with bare windows but this is not a good idea. When you do not have curtains, drapes or blinds up at your windows, others are afforded the opportunity of seeing inside and taking notice of the valuables you have. If you want to avoid becoming the target of a would-be intruder, it would be most advisable for you to cover-up your windows. When a thief sees what they stand to gain by getting inside, they will be more prone to targeting your home. Don’t become the victim of a break-in by having bare windows. Instead, do something to deter a break-in from occurring and maintain your valuables.