6 Tips For Safer Apartment Living

Safety first, particularly when it comes to apartment living. It doesn't matter if you've chosen to save on rent by living in a marginal neighborhood, or if you are simply looking for ways to protect yourself in case of a fire, you will want to follow these steps in order to protect yourself and your valuables:

1. Purchase renter's insurance. Make an inventory of your valuables and a brief video inventory of your apartment. Make sure you state the date and time, clearly at the start of the video. Put the inventory and video in a safe deposit box, or in a fire safe box in the apartment.
2. Change the locks. Make sure that the locks to your apartment have been changed since a prior renter. Even though most landlords forbid giving a key out to a boyfriend/girlfriend, friend, or relative, you never know who lived in your apartment before you or to whom they gave keys.
3. Lock your sliding glass door. It's helpful to stick a dowel or a broom handle in the track of your sliding glass door. Many of these doors have flimsy locks, and require a little extra security.
4. Guard your identity. Put only your last name, or your initials on your mailbox and buzzer. Also, keep an unlisted number. This will cut down on the number of solicitations you receive as well.
5. Live above the first floor. When choosing an apartment, request one above the first floor. Statistics show that these apartments are less likely to be broken into.
6. Check your smoke detector. When you move in, and periodically thereafter, check the batter on your smoke detector. Likewise, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Staying safe is fairly simple if you follow these steps and use good common sense. Checking your smoke detector regularly, and purchasing renter's insurance will both protect your personal safety, as well as cover any financial liability you may have in regards to your personal belongings. Safety is the most important aspect of living in an apartment, and in the end you are ultimately responsible for yourself.

Lisa Brown is a Sales and Marketing Associate for Almost Home USA, a nationwide corporate housing company whose goal is to provide such excellent experiences that clients feel almost home. If you are in need of furnished apartments or temporary housing, Almost Home USA might be your best solution.