Apartment living tends to be transient. People come and go. Often, they don’t know all their neighbors, so a new person entering an apartment may not be an unusual sight in your building or complex.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself. Whether you are looking for a new home or want to stay in your current space and make it safer, some simple steps will make your apartment safer and protect what you most cherish.
You may not want to implement everything suggested here, but following these apartment security tips and suggestions can significantly reduce your chances of becoming an easy target for burglars.
What to Check Before Moving to an Apartment
When hunting for a new apartment, remember that your safety is more about the measures you take to protect your residence than the amount you spend on rent. Living in a tougher neighborhood increases the likelihood of a break-in, but wealthier people can become robbery victims, too.
Before exploring how to secure an apartment, here are some things you can do to choose a safer building and neighborhood.
1. Research Crime Rates
The internet makes it easy to research an area’s crime rates. You can quickly find information about the number and type of crimes in a given neighborhood.
Check sites to find crime statistics for the neighborhood and even the new apartment building you’re considering, such as:
Look for statistics about various kinds of offenses to get a complete picture.
2. Evaluate the Apartment Building
Price is always paramount when looking for a new apartment, particularly as the cost of living keeps increasing. But don’t let cost be the only factor determining whether you move into a new space. Take this checklist with you when you tour.
- Are the floors clean?
- Are the halls well-lit?
- Does the paint look relatively new, or is it peeling off the walls?
- Are there broken locks or leaky faucets?
- Is the front entrance secure and tidy?
- Does the front entrance lock work, or is it easy to enter the building?
- Is the landscaping around the building well-maintained or overgrown?
- Does the parking lot have good lighting?
Start evaluating the apartment building as soon as you arrive. If you notice signs of poor maintenance, that’s a red flag. An unkempt building will likely also have security issues.
It’s also a good idea to visit the apartment building at night. If there are problems with lighting or an unsecured entrance into the building, you’ll notice them more easily at night than during the day.
3. Talk to People in the Neighborhood
Those who live and work in the area you’re considering can give you firsthand information and insights about it. After seeing the apartment, talk to a few of the residents and find out if they like living there. Ask how quickly the landlord or manager responds to problems, and whether they’ve ever had any issues with break-ins or other crimes.
4. Check the Windows
A secure door is essential for preventing burglaries, but remember that windows can also be vulnerable. Ensure the windows have easy-to-use, sturdy locks. You might prefer bars on first-floor windows, and even if you’re on the second or third floor, a burglar may be able to reach an open window, especially if the building has an outside fire escape or balconies.
Also, watch for windows near doors with easily reachable locks. A burglar could smash the window, then reach around and unlock the door.
5. Consider Apartment Security and Safety
While the building’s appearance and maintenance provide valuable clues to the residents’ experience, you also need to ask questions about security and safety issues inside the building.
- Does the apartment manager change the locks when a new tenant moves in? You do not want former tenants who kept old apartment keys visiting their old haunts when you’re not around.
- Does the building have security cameras? If so, that’s a positive sign about how seriously the owners take security.
- Are the building’s security staff familiar with all the tenants? You might not have liked hall monitors in high school, but they are helpful when living in an apartment building.
- Is the facility’s fire alarm system in good working order? You don’t want to have to jump out of bed repeatedly in the middle of the night for false alarms. On the other hand, you want the alarm system to work perfectly if there is a fire.
- Is there a sprinkler system? Apartment buildings outfitted with automatic sprinkler systems are much safer.
Evaluating an apartment’s safety features can help you determine whether the property manager supplies adequate safety measures or if you need to beef up your apartment to feel safe.
14 Tips to Improve Apartment Security
Congratulations! You went through the checklist above and found an apartment in a well-maintained building in a safer area. However, it’s wise to continue your efforts to limit burglary attempts after you move into a place you can be proud of. Burglars can strike anywhere, anytime.
Learn how to prevent break-ins at an apartment with these top tips.
1. Set up Wireless Alarm Systems or Cameras
Landlords rarely allow their tenants to drill holes in apartment walls to install a wired security system. Fortunately, there are many excellent wireless systems on the market these days. These security systems adhere to doors and windows. If you purchase one, it could reduce the cost of your renters insurance.
Wireless video surveillance cameras are another wise investment. You can use them with a wireless security system or as a stand-alone option. Your smartphone becomes your monitor, allowing you to check on your home from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Some wireless cameras come with night vision, motion detection and two-way communication, so you can speak with anyone who shows up at your apartment door.
2. Invest in Home Automation Services
You can control everything from the lights to the temperature with home automation services — and you’ll get remote access to your security system, including video monitoring capabilities from your smartphone or tablet.
Our home automation services will keep you comfortable and protected by monitoring your apartment against break-ins 24/7.
3. Install Better Door Locks
Even if your landlord changed the locks when you moved in, you should ask about installing a deadbolt if there isn’t one. Doors are the weakest entry point in your house. They often have only a few short screws holding the strike plate in place, making them easy for a burglar to kick in. Consider replacing the original screws with longer ones that will provide a sturdier hold.
Also, think about installing chain locks or a reinforcement lock for additional protection. Always be sure to check with your landlord or property manager before screwing new locks into the door or walls.
4. Use a Security Bar on Your Door
Devices that jam your doors can provide reliable security. You can buy door jammers that install easily and require very few changes, if any, to the door. You can also remove them and take them with you when you move.
If you have sliding doors on your balcony, one of the best ways to protect them is with a long wooden dowel placed in the runner. You can take the dowel out when you’re home to enjoy your balcony, but place it in the runner while you’re away so no one can open the door.
5. Protect Your Belongings
Many potential burglars prefer to scope out a property before attempting a break-in. Often, they will peek in windows to see if a potential target has anything worth stealing. If your lights are on at night, people can see in your windows even if you live on the second or third floor of an apartment. It’s like watching a TV show — anyone on the street can see what you’re doing. It’s better to keep your shades drawn and the blinds closed at night to avoid showcasing everything you own.
6. Get to Know the Neighbors
Becoming friendly with your fellow tenants is one of the best ways to protect your property and belongings. While it pays to know as many people in your apartment building as possible, try to at least meet your next-door and across-the-hall neighbors.
If you feel comfortable doing so, share your schedule so they know when you will be home and away. Humans make the most intelligent security cameras. They watch for suspicious activity and can quickly alert you or law enforcement if there’s a problem.
When neighbors know each other, they become a community watch group in your apartment building. As you form relationships with the people around you, they’ll feel more willing to keep an eye on your apartment while you’re gone, and you can do the same for them.
While connecting with neighbors can be beneficial, be cautious. Some people could use the knowledge of your comings and goings to access your apartment while you’re gone. Try to only share these details with people you trust.
7. Invest in a Quality Safe
Burglary is still possible despite all your careful precautions. You can take steps to prevent people from stealing your belongings, even if they get into your apartment. A sturdy safe is the best place to store cash, firearms, jewelry, essential documents or irreplaceable heirlooms. Check with your landlord about the possibility of attaching the safe to the wall or floor so an intruder can’t walk out with it.
8. Purchase Renters Insurance
Even if you invest in a sturdy safe, a burglar may take electronic devices like TVs, gaming consoles, computers, valuable clothing or even furniture. While your landlord’s insurance covers the cost of damages to your building, renters insurance will cover your property for a relatively low price, giving you peace of mind if you are the victim of a robbery.
9. Get a Dog
Consider adopting a dog if your apartment building allows pets. Most burglars seek easy break-ins, and a dog can be an excellent deterrent. Even if your pup isn’t a vicious guard dog, a loud bark can attract attention. Either way, it’s a risk most burglars are unwilling to take. Besides the additional security, you get the benefit of a new furry friend who loves you unconditionally.
10. Take Measures Before Traveling
Nearly three-quarters of burglaries in the United States happen when homes are unoccupied. Often, criminals scout areas looking for telltale signs that no one is home, such as a pile of uncollected mail. They may even ring an apartment’s buzzer at different times of the day to check if anyone’s there.
Take the following precautions to combat potential break-ins if you plan to travel or leave your apartment for an extended period.
- Securely lock all windows and doors.
- Close your curtains or blinds.
- Let a trusted neighbor or your landlord know you’re leaving.
- Hide valuables in hard-to-find spots.
- Leave a television or light on.
- Tidy up your home so you can tell if a break-in occurred.
11. Install Glass Break Sensors
Consider investing in glass break sensors for your apartment. You can set up these devices by any glass doors and windows. If someone breaks the glass, the sensor will trigger an alarm and notify your smartphone. They detect vibration and sound, effectively deterring intruders whether you’re home or away. Look for renter-friendly options that install without screwing into a wall or windowsill.
12. Keep a Personal Alarm Nearby
A personal alarm can attract attention and scare off potential threats in and around your apartment. You can find small, handheld devices that emit a loud siren-like alarm when you press their button. These are excellent for keeping you safe while walking your dog around the building or coming home late at night.
Keeping a small alarm by your bed can also be beneficial if an intruder enters your apartment at night. They may think the sound is a security system and leave.
13. Regularly Check Door and Window Locks
Make it a routine to double-check that you’ve securely locked all entry points before going to sleep, leaving the house and taking a shower.
For example, you can easily forget that you opened a window to get fresh air during the day, and 42% of burglars admit to gaining entry through unlocked windows. Remember, one oversight is all it takes for a criminal to gain access to you and your belongings.
14. Invest in a Robust Residential Security System
While doorbell cameras and personal monitoring devices can provide quick solutions in a pinch, a professionally monitored home security system is much more effective. Do-it-yourself security systems often promise mobile alerts and monitoring, though you risk missing a notification while you’re away. You can rely on quality products and services by investing slightly more in a professional home security system.
Make Your Apartment Safe With Lloyd Security in Minneapolis
Trust Lloyd Security to protect your apartment and belongings with a new residential or commercial security system. With more than 50 years of combined experience in Minneapolis, St. Paul and throughout Minnesota, we give renters the peace of mind they deserve. We offer various high-tech products, including:
- Security cameras
- Flood sensors
- Access control systems
- Freeze sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Fire alarms
If you want to know more about how we can help with your security concerns, contact our team for a free quote today.
