Important Apartment Safety Checklist

You’re settling into your new apartment and finally unpacked the last moving box. After organizing and putting everything away, you’re probably surveying your new place and wondering if your belongings are safe. Here is an apartment safety checklist to ensure that you and your belongings are safe from theft and robbery.

Reinforce Sliding Doors

There are a few things you can do to secure your sliding glass door, which most apartments now feature. If you happen to live on the first floor of an apartment complex you’d want to pay extra attention to your doors and windows. First and foremost, keep the blinds closed when you’re not at home. You wouldn’t want anyone to get a good look inside your apartment to scope out any targets inside. A few other steps include:

• Add an alarm sensor. Door sensors are a feature of home safety systems and will alert you whenever it opens.
• Add window film. Most sliding doors are made of glass and can easily be smashed in the event of a robbery. Installing window film will prevent the glass from completely shattering when broken.
• Add a rod or bar on the tracks. This will prevent the door from opening, whether by a little or not at all. This simple addition will save you a load of stress when you’re away.
• Get a deadbolt lock. It’s a good idea to install extra locks on your door so that it’s harder for thieves to open.
• Install a security camera.

Secure Your Windows

Although it’s pretty straightforward, don’t leave your windows open when you’re not in the area. First floor windows are one of the most common points of entry during a robbery.

• Locks: Most windows already come with window locks, but you can beef up your security by adding more. Look into different window locks and barricades for added protection.
• Window alarms. Similar to door alarms, window alarms will also notify you when the window is opened, even by a bit. Unfortunately, neighbors sometimes ignore the sound of breaking glass. Glass break sensors, in a similar fashion, will alert you if the window is shattered.
• Prickly plants. Chances are that you won’t have too much control over the vegetation outside of your rental unit. But this doesn’t meant you’re not able to have them just inside. Having prickly plants and shrubs by your window can help deter robberies. A lot of robbers are opportunists and probably won’t go through the trouble of risking injury for a quick snatch and grab.

Meet Your Neighbors

Having a friend nearby goes a long way when it comes to keeping communities safe and secure. It’s always helpful having extra pairs of eyes to keep the lookout or to deter robberies before they happen. It also makes it much easier to discuss the various on-goings of the neighborhood and spread the word if anything happens. When moving into a new apartment building or condo, leave a note or letter on their door letting them know who you are.

Invest in a Safe to Store Your Valuables

Get creative with hiding places for your valuables such as passports, jewelry, cash, and other items. There are many different types and sizes of safes. Pick which one is right for you and make the investment.

Be Home Even if You’re Not

Many robberies happen when tenants and homeowners are out of town for an extended period of time. Making it look like you’re home, even when you’re not, is a clever way to deter robberies from happening when you’re not around. Installing times and setting your lights to specific times throughout the day will make it look like someone is home. Another clever, and really helpful, tool is to install a doorbell camera so that you can answer the door even when you’re not home. Setting the blinds to open and close automatically is also another way to trick would-be robbers from thinking that your place is vacant.

Get a Guard Dog

Not only are dogs man’s best friend, they also make excellent family guardians. Dogs have a natural inclination to protect not only their packs (their families) but also their territories. Always alert and aware of their surroundings, dogs will notify their owners of any strangers of intruders. Many dogs will also spring into action if anyone is foolish enough to break into their homes. Head over to our blog about guard dogs to read more, or read the following list.

• Akita
• German Shepherd
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinscher
• Boxer
• Great Dane
• Bullmastiff
• Great Pyrenees
• Chow Chow
• Chihuahua