Keeping Your Apartment Secure

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We’ve all seen it before on crime shows—someone kicks in an apartment door and makes it look easy. Newer apartments might have stronger doors, but adding extra security is never a bad idea, especially since, according to ADT,  apartments are broken into far more frequently than houses.

Before You Move In
Before you sign a lease, it’s a good idea to see how the windows, doors and sliding doors (if you have them) are secured. A deadbolt is a must and should be a deal-breaker if the landlord won’t let you install one.

This is also a good time to ask your landlord if you can change the locks in case previous owners had copies of the key made that they didn’t turn in when they moved out. You can also ask if it’s okay for you to install additional locks or even a security system or camera. As long as the landlord or maintenance staff can still get in when you’re gone if they need to, they may allow it.

Other Options
If your landlord doesn’t want you to install something permanent, there are portable but secure options that are quite effective for a house or an apartment, such as door security bars (also called door jammers). These are angled bars that can be wedged between the doorknob and floor to provide extra reinforcement should someone try to break in. You can buy similar bars for sliders that go between the door that slides and the track it slides on to prevent break-ins that way.

In addition to the window locks that are already on your windows, there are a variety of non-permanent options. The kind you buy depends on the kind of windows you have. Check with your local hardware store to find the right ones.

Security Systems that Won’t Damage Walls
Items like door jammers are great to protect you when you’re home, but most robberies occur when you’re not there. If your landlord doesn’t allow a security system that has to be screwed into the wall, or you want something you can take with you when you move out, you might want to consider a DIY security system. These days, many DIY security systems are attached with peel-and-stick adhesive rather than being drilled into the wall, making them ideal for renters who want to preserve their security deposit. Wireless and battery-operated products also tend to create less damage than wired products, and as a bonus, intruders can’t cut the power to a wireless camera, which lessens the odds that the equipment will be tampered with or rendered inoperable.

Although some security systems require you to pay for a monitoring service, there are many that don’t. Some will even alert you through your cell phone. According to Bob Vila, even Amazon’s Alexa offers security features: Alexa Guard can turn your Alexa-connected Echo devices into listening devices that sense sounds like breaking glass or footsteps, and Alexa Intruder Alert allows you to program Alexa devices to flash the lights, shout at the intruder, or play loud music or an alarm sound.

The Basics
Besides the additional security measures we outlined in this article, you should never ignore the basics.

• Keep blinds or curtains closed when you aren’t around.
• Keep doors and windows locked.
• Program your lights on a timer, staggering times and rooms if possible, when you are out of town.
• Keep valuables like cash and jewelry locked away in something that doesn’t look like a safe and is kept somewhere in your house where a burglar wouldn’t think to look.
• Don’t post anything on social media that indicates that you are on vacation—and only post your vacay pics when you get back!
• If you don’t have a garage that is attached only to your apartment, be aware of your surroundings when walking from your car to your apartment.

Of course, it’s always a smart idea to get renters insurance in case you are robbed, despite your best efforts to keep that from happening. It’s an inexpensive way for you to get some peace of mind in case you have to replace things that are stolen. Hopefully these tips will keep that from happening.

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