Apartment Safety

Building safety in your apartment

• Be aware of your surroundings. Be alert when walking to or from your apartment late at night, as well as when using common rooms such as the weight room, laundry room, etc.
• Walk in well lit areas and keep multiple lights on when you leave your home. Lock doors and windows, and be sure your doors have a deadbolt lock for extra protection.
• Let a neighbor friend know when you are going out of town so that he or she can keep an eye on any suspicious activity going on around your apartment. You and your neighbors can have a buddy system. He'll watch out for you when you're gone and vice versa.
• When your apartment is unoccupied for a long period of time, leave a radio or television playing to give the impression that somebody is home.
• NEVER allow strangers to enter the building as you are leaving or entering any apartment building. Be aware of anybody hanging around the door that looks disinterested but makes a dash to hold open the door after it has been unlocked. Make sure all outer doors are kept locked at all times.
• DO NOT buzz anyone you don't know into the building. Criminals have been known to randomly buzz people's apartments saying it is a pizza delivery and another tenant is not answering so can you please let them in.
• Suspicious or unknown people trying to get into the building should be referred to the building superintendent, management or security. If you do not want to talk to them, then let the building superintendent, management or security know about these people immediately.
• List only your first initial along with your last name in the lobby tenant directory.
• On outgoing voicemail boxes or answering machines, instead of saying "I am not home" tell the caller "We are not home," again giving the appearance that you do not live alone.
• Don't leave valuable objects out that can be seen through your apartment window or out in your car. Don't put your valuables on display.
• Purchase renter’s insurance. It’s cheap and worth every penny!
• Report bad lighting, overgrowth of landscaping (if it looks like someone can hide in it) and broken locks.
• Don’t run extension cords under carpets or from unit-to-unit. They can easily overheat. Extension cords are for temporary use only. They are not to be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
• Have a fire escape plan. Practice it. Know at least two ways to get out of your apartment. Pick a family meeting place outside the apartment building. Don’t use elevators (they may take you right into the fire.)

Safety for your vehicle

Auto theft and theft from vehicles are the most common crimes in apartment communities. Aside from keeping your building safe, it’s important to follow these tips to protect your property:

• Lock your car door. Even if you're only running inside to grab a jacket, you need to keep your car secure.
• Never leave valuables like packages, handbags, clothing, or mobile phones lying inside the car. Regardless of their value, don’t tempt a thief.
• Lock your valuables in the trunk before you leave your last parking spot. This way, you can get out, lock the car and walk away without attracting any unwanted attention.
• Park in the most-visible, well-lit areas. Avoid dark, deserted streets and alleys.
• Don’t keep titles or registration in the vehicle; put them in a safe place.
• Consider installing a car alarm. An alarm won’t catch a thief, but someone who forces open the door, hood, or trunk lid will set off the alarm and attract attention.