Apartment Security Tips to Protect Yourself From Burglars

Apartment security is a topic that is easily ignored. The chance of your apartment being burglarized is much greater than living in a house.

Burglars like to break in apartments during the daytime because most people are at work.

If you don't own your own home and live in an apartment, how do you protect yourself and your possessions from break-ins?

Door Locks

The first thing you should do when it comes to apartment security is to have your locks changed. Most apartment doors are pretty easy to break into. Also, you never know if someone who used to live in the apartment made a duplicate key.

When you first move in, or now if you've been living there for awhile, ask the manager or landlord to change the locks. Also, get permission to add a deadbolt lock to the door. You can do this yourself if the landlord says it's okay.

Keep your doors locked at all times, even when you're in the apartment. You don't want someone just walking into your place and sneaking up on you. If someone is at the door, use the peephole to see who it is. Even if you're expecting someone to come over, look through the peephole to make sure it's who you're waiting for.

Windows and Sliding Doors

If you have a sliding door, make sure it's closed and latched. To stop burglars from breaking in through the sliding door, use a blocking device to place on the track to prevent the door from sliding open. You can use some type of stick or metal.

You can also place a fake security alarm sticker on the door. You can buy these fake stickers at any home improvement store or online. A burglar will be more hesitant to break in if he or she sees that sticker.

Burglars also like to use open windows to break into apartments, especially if your apartment is on the first floor. Just like with the sliding door, you can use a wooden or metal blocking device to prevent the window from being slid open. You can also use a fake home security sticker on the windows.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

If you haven't done this already or you just moved in, make sure you get to know your neighbors. Greet them when you see them. Remember their faces so you know who is supposed to be in the building and who doesn't belong there. If there is some type of apartment committee or club that meets every now and then, join it.

Apartment Security System

If you want a real apartment security system instead of putting up fake security stickers, you can always buy an alarm system that you can install yourself, like the Skylink Wireless Home Security System. You can easily install it and you'll save hundreds of dollars in monitoring fees.

Make sure the alarm is loud enough to be heard by your neighbors. Also make sure the alarm resets itself after a couple of minutes. You don't want to annoy your neighbors and risk your alarm being ignored by them. If a burglar has broken in and the alarm goes off, that should be more than enough warning for him or her to leave as quickly as possible. So there is no need for the alarm to continue to go off until the police get there.

Renters Insurance

There are many apartment renters who never buy renters insurance. Some people are not aware there is such a thing as renters insurance. Others just don't think they need it. Renters insurance is similar to having a homeowners policy except you're only insuring your possessions, not the building.

If you have possessions like a TV, computer, clothes, furniture, jewelry, etc. then you need renters insurance. If someone breaks into your apartment and steal any of these items, you can file a claim with your insurance company and at least get some of the value back for what was stolen if it's never recovered.If there is a fire in the building that ruins your possessions, you'll be covered under your renters insurance.

You can do a search on the internet for "renters insurance" and select the best policy that's right for you. Geico is one of the insurance companies that offer renters insurance.

Although I talk a lot about home security, it's also very important to have apartment security if you don't live in a house. By following the tips in this article, you can rest assure that you will be more secure in your apartment and the chances of a burglar breaking in is dramatically reduced.

Click here to find out how the Skylink Wireless Home Security System can help you protect your apartment.