Security Options for Your Apartment

Most apartment buildings will have certain security provisions, including lighted hallways and gate codes. But you can also take steps to feel safe once you’re inside. Here are some tips for improving security while living in an apartment.


Protective measures
First, there are some common sense things you can do: don’t broadcast when you’re not in the apartment — that means no leaving notes for delivery men or friends on your front door when you’re in another part of the building or running errands. (Read: How To Be Safe In Your Apartment). Keep your door locked. A peephole can be useful if you get a knock you’re not expecting. Don’t hesitate to call and check in with your landlord if a maintenance person shows up without your prior knowledge. Renter’s insurance is relatively cheap (you might be able to bundle it with your car insurance) and will give you some peace of mind if you’re ever burgled. (Read: Why Renter’s Insurance Is Good For You)

Door Locks
Your landlord should have had the locks changed when you moved in. To be safe, check with your management company to ensure the only that you and the property management are the only ones with a key. If you have just a chain lock, you might want to look into getting a deadbolt installed, with your landlord’s permission. Deadbolts are harder for unwanted visitors to force their way through.

Home security systems
Another step you can take is to install an alarm system of some sort. Home Security Systems Advice has descriptions of the types of burglar alarms currently available. You can buy systems that range to basic entry alerts to those with motion sensors and alerts in cases of fire.
You should be able to install your own wireless burglar alarm yourself. Some apartments are prewired for Security systems. Check with the your property management team to see if they have any reason for not allowing such alarms, or a particular brand they recommend.

Keeping your information safe
The final item you might want to invest in is a paper shredder. This will ensure you don’t have to worry about throwing away paper with valuable financial information that can be used for identity theft.

Fire Protection
But keeping your things — and yourself — safe isn’t just about lowering your risk of crime. You’ll also want to protect yourself from other threats, such as fire. The Seattle Fire Department has a number of tips for apartment dwellers. You may want to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, or one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.
If your landlord doesn’t provide you with a smoke detector (and that is a requirement in many places), buy one immediately and test it monthly. Some models also test for carbon monoxide, which may be your only warning that this colorless, odorless gas is building to lethal levels. Separate carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased and should be maintained the same way you maintain a smoke detector. Finally, if you keep valuable items at your apartment, you might want to look into a fireproof safe. KL Security, a security firm, has ten tips for evaluating a fireproof safe. Computer media, such as hard drives, melt at a lower temperature than paper burns, so a safe rated fireproof for documents may not protect your media. Figure out which items you want to protect and then buy the appropriate safe.

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