Safe and Sound: Your Security Checklist for Apartment Living
From changing your locks to understanding security systems, these steps will help you feel at home in an apartment
Apartment living is a great choice for many people. Whether you are a single professional who travels a lot, a family who doesn’t want the extra work involved with maintaining a garden or a senior who may not feel safe alone in a house, the right apartment can offer an easy, maintenance-free lifestyle.
However, apartment dwellers, whether they rent or own their units, face safety issues unique to apartment living. Here are a few of the most important concerns and how to minimise them.
Look for strict access control
When looking for an apartment, add tight security to the list of things you want, along with that open floor plan and modern kitchen. Does the apartment complex you are considering have a perimeter wall and a foyer? Does the building have locked entrances and an intercom system that allows residents to screen who they let in?
Ideally, the building you ultimately choose may have active systems in place for controlling who can enter the property. There may be several layers of access control, from doormen to guest registries. Of course, this type of security often comes with higher rent, so finding the right balance for your budget is key.
When looking for an apartment, add tight security to the list of things you want, along with that open floor plan and modern kitchen. Does the apartment complex you are considering have a perimeter wall and a foyer? Does the building have locked entrances and an intercom system that allows residents to screen who they let in?
Ideally, the building you ultimately choose may have active systems in place for controlling who can enter the property. There may be several layers of access control, from doormen to guest registries. Of course, this type of security often comes with higher rent, so finding the right balance for your budget is key.
Apartment security requires shared commitment
If the apartment building you live in uses an intercom system that allows residents to unlock the front door from their apartments, remember that resident-operated access control systems are only as good as the people who use them. Intercom systems are useless if unidentified strangers are routinely buzzed into the building. Try to talk to several people who live in the building to get a feel for how serious residents are about maintaining security in the complex.
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If the apartment building you live in uses an intercom system that allows residents to unlock the front door from their apartments, remember that resident-operated access control systems are only as good as the people who use them. Intercom systems are useless if unidentified strangers are routinely buzzed into the building. Try to talk to several people who live in the building to get a feel for how serious residents are about maintaining security in the complex.
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Change the locks on your apartment door
It is common practice to change all the exterior door locks when you buy a new house. You may also do this when moving into an apartment, but people often overlook this, especially when renting the apartment instead of purchasing.
It is important to change your locks on doors and windows, even if the landlord says they have already been changed. Some landlords recycle locks, so consider changing yours for an extra safety precaution.
Tip: If your landlord or real estate agent won’t allow you to change the existing lock, ask them about adding an additional lock on your front door – they will usually approve this providing they have a key. This also allows you to choose a higher security lock, which will make your apartment less attractive to someone trying to break in.
It is common practice to change all the exterior door locks when you buy a new house. You may also do this when moving into an apartment, but people often overlook this, especially when renting the apartment instead of purchasing.
It is important to change your locks on doors and windows, even if the landlord says they have already been changed. Some landlords recycle locks, so consider changing yours for an extra safety precaution.
Tip: If your landlord or real estate agent won’t allow you to change the existing lock, ask them about adding an additional lock on your front door – they will usually approve this providing they have a key. This also allows you to choose a higher security lock, which will make your apartment less attractive to someone trying to break in.
Parking and garage safety
Parking areas, whether they are open car parks or lock-up garages, can be poorly lit and isolated, making them potentially dangerous.
Make sure the apartment you live in has a parking area or garage that is well lit 24 hours a day. In addition, it can help if active surveillance cameras record parking activity. If you feel unsafe, try to park near an exit to minimise the time and distance you walk in the garage and don’t be afraid to request a car spot closer to an exit if your apartment building assigns you a specific parking spot further away.
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Parking areas, whether they are open car parks or lock-up garages, can be poorly lit and isolated, making them potentially dangerous.
Make sure the apartment you live in has a parking area or garage that is well lit 24 hours a day. In addition, it can help if active surveillance cameras record parking activity. If you feel unsafe, try to park near an exit to minimise the time and distance you walk in the garage and don’t be afraid to request a car spot closer to an exit if your apartment building assigns you a specific parking spot further away.
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Have a fire safety plan
Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have a plan to get out safely in case of a fire. Some buildings have fire escape plans posted on walls, but many apartment complexes do not, so it’s up to you to formulate a plan for yourself.
Since lifts cannot be used in a fire, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the stairs that are closest to your apartment. If you live in an old building with exterior window fire escapes, make sure your window opens freely, or if you have a drop-down ladder, learn how to operate it and make sure it is kept in good working order.
Tip: Keep fire extinguishers and working fire alarms in your apartment and know where fire extinguishers are in your apartment building’s common areas.
Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have a plan to get out safely in case of a fire. Some buildings have fire escape plans posted on walls, but many apartment complexes do not, so it’s up to you to formulate a plan for yourself.
Since lifts cannot be used in a fire, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the stairs that are closest to your apartment. If you live in an old building with exterior window fire escapes, make sure your window opens freely, or if you have a drop-down ladder, learn how to operate it and make sure it is kept in good working order.
Tip: Keep fire extinguishers and working fire alarms in your apartment and know where fire extinguishers are in your apartment building’s common areas.
Smoke detectors
All apartments are required to have smoke detectors. However, it is the resident’s responsibility to change the batteries and ensure they are working properly. Ideally, this should be done a minimum of twice a year.
Tip: If your apartment does not have carbon monoxide detectors, consider adding them, especially if your building has fireplaces or if natural gas is used in your apartment complex.
Tell us
What features have helped you feel secure at home? Tell us in the comments, like this story, bookmark it and save your favourite images.
More
Find security system specialists near you
All apartments are required to have smoke detectors. However, it is the resident’s responsibility to change the batteries and ensure they are working properly. Ideally, this should be done a minimum of twice a year.
Tip: If your apartment does not have carbon monoxide detectors, consider adding them, especially if your building has fireplaces or if natural gas is used in your apartment complex.
Tell us
What features have helped you feel secure at home? Tell us in the comments, like this story, bookmark it and save your favourite images.
More
Find security system specialists near you