Home safety should always be considered when renting a new apartment or house. While it’s impossible to guarantee safety, there are certain precautions one can take to help your odds against harm.
Theft/ Break-ins
• Make sure your outside doors have strong deadbolt locks and always make sure to use them when you are in or out of your house.
• Never leave spare keys “hidden” somewhere outside your house; most burglars have the savvy to find them. Instead, leave spare keys with a trusted neighbor or friend.
• Keep bikes and sports equipment inside your home instead of locked up outside.
• Keep gates, garage doors and shed doors locked at all times.
• Beware of potential hiding spots for intruders like bushes, stairwells, alleys or hallways. If possible, have your landlord install lights in such areas to deter them.
• Set timers on lights when you’re away from home for extended periods to make it seem as though it is occupied.
Fire
• Smoke detectors should always be in working condition and tested monthly to ensure batteries are operational. Check with your landlord before moving in to see when the last city smoke inspection occurred.
• A small fire extinguisher is a good investment for your home. If you have one, make sure all people living in the apartment know where it is located and how to use it in case of an emergency.
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