Reduce Burglary By 75% with these Apartment Safety Tips

Are you also someone who is always worried about your home’s safety and are constantly looking for new apartment safety tips? Then I think you will find a friend in me. 

As someone who has been working as a home security expert for the last 30+ years, my mind always has some apartment security ideas running through it. 

Apartment safety is no joke to me, mainly when a burglary occurs every 22.6 seconds, making it one of the most frequently occurring crimes in the US. 

Implementing a few of my safety tips for apartment residents is vital because 67% of burglaries occur in residential properties. 

Burglaries do not cause harm to human lives in most cases. Instead, you incur a loss in terms of cash, jewelry, technological devices, etc. Reports suggest that these thefts can cause the victim a loss of a whopping amount of approximately $2,000 or even more! 

As someone who has worked my way up from blue-collar, minimum wage jobs, I know, and I understand, what kind of an effect a loss as significant as that can cause. 

You need not worry anymore, I’ve got you! With the apartment safety tips given by me, you can make your home 75% safer. 
These apartment security ideas will keep the burglars and your home security worries at bay. Trust me; these are your go-to safety tips for living alone in an apartment or living with your loved ones.

Wait, Don’t Move in Yet! Implement these Apartment Safety Tips First

If you plan to relocate to a new apartment, make sure the new place is safe to move in. Here are some apartment safety tips that you need to make sure are in order before you move in.

Research Local Crime Statistics

Before locking in an apartment, we always make sure that it falls in a good school district. You would even like to make sure that it is no more than a 5 minute walk from your favorite coffee shop. 

But these shouldn’t be your priorities. Your priority should be to know about the crime rates of the new neighborhood. 

Talk to your potential neighbors, shop owners, and local police of the area. You can even use sites such as truthfinder.com, spotcrime.com, cityprotect.com to know about the criminal activities happening in specific areas.  

Check Lighting Around the Building

For a burglar, darkness is his ally. Acts of crime are always performed in darkness. A burglar doesn’t want to attract any attention towards himself. So they are drawn towards areas that are not well-lit. Make sure that your front door, hallways, and parking area are adequately lit at all times. If you find dark nooks and corners where one can hide easily, be sure to install a light in such places before moving in. 

Check Security Features in Common Areas

Your apartment common areas may include the gym, the pool area, the laundry room, etc. Make sure to check these places before you move in. These places should only be accessible to the residents of the apartment building. 

The entry to these places should be guarded with a key or a fob. No non-residents should be seen loitering around, as these loiterers could pose a potential threat to your home. 

Evaluate the Entryways

Your entryway is the first line of defense when it comes to your apartment’s security. Make sure these entryways are correctly secured. From your apartment building’s entryway to your own apartment’s entry, make sure all of these are equipped with security features.

Explore the Emergency Exits

You don’t know when a situation arises, and you might have to escape your apartment. It is better to know and learn your emergency exits beforehand. To ensure your maximum safety, have an escape plan ready. 

Note the location of the Windows

Windows are a common entry point for burglars. More burglars enter through the window than they do through the door. So make sure these windows are secure. You can ensure this by adding a lock to your window. Make sure your windows are not easy to break or break-in. You can secure your windows for better security with the help of my guide – How to Secure Windows Against Burglars: An Expert Guide

Watch Out for Sliding Glass Doors

Even though sliding doors are the perfect addition to your home, making beautiful entryways for air and light to come in easily, they can also become a good entryway for burglars. Since sliding glass doors are easy to break in, securing them can be a task. Make sure these sliding glass doors are not built weak and are locked. If you find that the locks are weak, you can always replace them. Discover the different types of sliding glass door locks. 

All Moved In? Follow these Apartment Safety Ideas

I am sure you must’ve taken care of and followed all the apartment security ideas before moving in. But what about after you have moved in? It would be better if you follow some safety tips after you’ve moved in too. If you are the sole resident of your house, here are some safety tips for living alone in an apartment.

Upgrade Your Locks

You don’t know who had lived before you in the apartment you just moved into. Just the idea of how many people might carry the copy of the key to your apartment is frightening to me. So your first step after moving in should be to have your door lock changed or upgraded.

Are you confused about what type of door lock you should use on your apartment door?  Then have a look at – Discover the 7 Best Apartment Door Locks to Boost Your Security 

Install a Security Camera at the Entrance

A camera is an excellent addition to your home’s security. You need not buy a whole security system for installing a camera. Many stand-alone cameras get the job done as well. You can also use doorbells or locks that come with an in-built camera. Sometimes, just a sight of a camera is enough to scare a burglar away.

Use the Buddy System

A friend in need is a friend indeed. So always be a good neighbor and establish good relationships with your neighbors. They can keep an eye out on your apartment while you are away, and you can do the same for them. You can also have such a system with a friend or a relative who lives nearby. 

Add a Loud Door Alarm

If you are a heavy sleeper like me, a regular alarm might not cut it for you. Having a loud door alarm can not only alarm you about suspicious activity but also others living in your apartment building. A louder alarm will bring more attention towards the burglar, scaring him off more quickly and easily.

Check out one of my favorite alarm on Amazon

Invest in a Safe

If you carry valuables such as extra cash, jewelry, etc., in your house, it is always a good idea to invest in a safe. This is an excellent way to provide an additional layer of security to your precious belongings. So even if your apartment gets broken into, your valuables can remain safe. 

Check out this highly-rated safe on Amazon. 

Get Renter’s Insurance

Paying to not lose money may seem like an absurd idea. But trust me, paying up the small amount of renter’s insurance is worth it. In Spite of all the apartment safety tips that you may follow, mishaps can always happen. Burglaries may cause a lot of damage to your property. Renter’s insurance covers the amount that is theft and the repairing cost of other damages that take place in your home.

Install Unbreakable Film on All Glass Windows and Doors

Installing unbreakable film on glass windows and doors adds an additional layer of security. These films make the glass more difficult to break. Plus, if broken, they contain small pieces of glass and don’t let them fly away, thus saving you from a lot of damage.

Here are the Best Security Systems for Apartments in 2022

A security system is a network of devices that are interlinked and work together to secure your home. They are built on the ideology of securing your common entry points of the house. So, security systems are often installed on your doors and windows. Their only purpose is to keep the homeowner safe. 

Installing security systems is a great apartment security idea to beef up your home security. Here are a few of my favorites and, overall, the best security systems for your apartment. 

Cove

The Cove security system is one of the most preferred security systems by users. It is perfect for renters as this system does not cost any installation fees, and you can install it by yourself. Additionally, this system does not cost you any cancellation fees either. Having limited automation features is a drawback. But for the price point at which their services are offered, no doubt they are a consumer favorite. 

Frontpoint

Frontpoint is one of the few companies that cater to the needs of long-term as well as short-term renters. So, if you are not going to stay in one place for long, you can always opt for their month-to-month contract. This is perfect for renters as this system is easy to install and does not tamper with the property at all. The one drawback of this system can be the high monitoring fees they charge.

SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe is a company that has laid the base for security systems. They were one of the first companies to develop this kind of security solution. They have a straightforward installation process. In Fact, their entire installation process is DIY (Do It Yourself). They have no contracts, and you can choose between monitored and unmonitored systems. 

Abode

Abode is another no-contract security system for renters. In Fact, it is quite similar to the SimpliSafe, and now they have become long-time competitors. Abode’s installation process is also very simple. But there are a few places where Abode stands out. It can be integrated with voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Home. Abode also provides a great range of outdoor, weatherproof equipment.

Ring Alarm Security Kit

Ring is one of those companies which has now become a household name. They are the first that comes to your mind when talking about security systems. While other systems can be integrated with Amazon’s Alexa, Ring is owned by Amazon. Thus providing you with additional features and benefits found in no other security system. 

Commonly Asked Questions and their Answers

Q1. How do you stay safe in an apartment?

Answer – Here are a few safety tips for apartment residents 
To ensure your door lock is strong and not easy to break
Make sure your windows have a lock on them too 
Install security systems such as motion detectors and burglar alarms  

Q2. How can I make my apartment door safer?

Answer – You can make your apartment door safer by using a reinforcement lock on it. 
You can refer to this article to beef up your apartment door security – How to Boost your Apartment Door Security: An Expert Guide

Q3. Is living in an apartment safer than living in a house?

Answer – It’s true, apartments are safer to live in than houses. As houses tend to be single, they are more appealing to burglars. While apartment complexes are always surrounded by a lot of people at times, making it difficult for a burglar to enter. 

Q3. Do apartments have security cameras?

Answer– Not all apartments have security cameras, but you can always install one outside your apartment if you feel the need to install one. All you need to do is make sure you have the permission. If you are renting your place, then you ask your landlord or property manager to install a camera. 

My Takeaway

Theft and burglary incidents indeed can be scary. Not only can they cause you loss in terms of money and valuables, but they can take a toll on your mental health as well. You are left feeling insecure and worried in your own ‘safe-place.’

But you can prevent this security threat and avoid the emotional turmoil by implementing the apartment security tips mentioned by me. 

If you live in an apartment by yourself, then you should definitely start using my safety tips for living alone in an apartment. 

I am sure these ideas will make your apartment safer, but I am curious to know if you use any security measures that you always take before moving into an apartment. If there are any, do let me know in the comments below!