Regardless if you’re moving into a new apartment or not, it’s always important to feel safe and secure within your home or when you’re away from your home. Everyone wants their personal property is safe and secure when they walk out the door in the morning.
While we all wish we could have professional monitoring, that’s not always easy to come by. This begs the question then — how can you ensure better apartment security? Whether you reside in a high-rise in downtown Houston, TX, or an apartment in Sugar Land, TX, worry not! We have you covered with these apartment security tips.
Feel safe within your apartment complex
Before you invest in any security devices, you should check out your new apartment complex first to see what it’s already equipped with. Ask the landlords what type of security the apartments come with. Also, ask if there’s pro monitoring of the parking and gates if they have them. Once you’ve done this, then you can start to invest in your own security system.
There are so many different ways to secure your apartment that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are a few options that will up your apartment security game.
“Have an emergency safety plan. Discuss as a family what you would do if a home invasion were to happen. What role should each person in the family take (i.e., who calls 911, where do kids go, etc.) and how/when you should exit your home? Having some type of discussion or plan in place can help prepare everyone for what to do in case of an emergency.”
“One of the best ways to enhance apartment security is to invest in small, portable self-defense tools that can be kept close at hand. Items such as pepper spray, personal alarms, or tactical flashlights are discreet, easy to use, and provide a sense of security when entering or leaving your apartment. Additionally, consider adding door security bars or portable locks to reinforce entry points for an extra layer of protection.”
– TBOTECH
1. Check your windows
If you live in a tall apartment complex, then you might be wondering why you need to check your windows. While it’s less likely someone would break in through the windows, it’s still better safe than sorry.
Check your windows to ensure they have sturdy, yet easy-to-use locks that you can’t open from the outside. You can also consider window sensors that detect any tampering with your window.
“Recognizing the impact of opportunity on the security of your home is important. The Crime Triangle and the Routine Activities Theory explain how opportunities for crime happen and how they are influenced by our environment and situations.
For a crime to occur, three elements must happen simultaneously: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the lack of a capable guardian. When these three elements converge, it creates a situation conducive to criminal behavior. But if you can eliminate one of these elements, it dramatically reduces the opportunity for victimization. It generally involves increasing the required effort, raising risks, or decreasing potential rewards. This can include making small steps for residences — locking doors and windows, keeping valuables out of easy lines of site, using your deadbolt, or trimming back greenery. In other words, you can make it harder to become a target for a motivated offender.”
2. Cover your windows
Along the same lines for apartment security tips, after you’ve checked that the windows are secure or even installed window sensors, it’s time for curtains. Many renters often forget to hang curtains when they move into new apartments. However, they’re very helpful when it comes to your apartment security.
Without curtains, people can see directly into your apartment, especially if you live on the ground floor, along with everything in it. By covering your windows, you eliminate this and, in turn, make your home less appealing to break into.
“Using window locks is a great idea to prevent unwanted entry into your home. However, many people think that it’s safe to leave a window slightly open with just a lock on the bottom rail. A skilled thief can sometimes use that bottom window lock as a “pivot” point against the window to remove it and gain entry. Make sure if you’re going to leave your windows slightly open for ventilation that you have window locks on both the bottom and the top rails.”
— Geoff Meed with Meed Institute of Self-Defense
3. Add more lighting
Everything feels less scary in the light. That’s why good lighting is a great way to secure your apartment, as well as make you feel safer. Look at your apartment’s common areas, such as hallways and parking areas, to see if they are well-lit areas. If possible, try to park where it’s the brightest. When you leave your apartment, consider leaving a lamp on to deter people from entering your home.
If you feel as though areas within your apartment building don’t have enough lighting, like big areas, such as the parking lots, and it makes you feel unsafe, then you should ask your landlord to add more.
“Keep your property well-lit, especially entrances, walkways, and dark corners, to deter potential intruders, and trim shrubs and bushes around windows and doors to eliminate hiding spots and make it harder for intruders to approach unnoticed.”
– Lina Khalifeh, CEO and Founder of SheFighter
4. Install door security systems
Chances are, if you live in an apartment, you only have a front door and maybe a sliding door. And just like your windows, you should make sure that all your doors are secure and locked. While they may have locks on them, there are ways to add some extra, easy security measures.
For your sliding doors and front door, you can add a security stick that prevents the door from being opened, even if it’s unlocked. Just like a window, if you live on the bottom level and have a sliding door, this could be extremely beneficial to the safety of your home. You simply put it under the apartment door knob or behind the sliding door and now you have some extra home security. These are a great, apartment-friendly way to make you feel more secure in your home.
Another option, if your apartment permits, is to add door and window sensors to your house. Similar to window sensors, door sensors detect movement around your doors. If someone opens the door or window, you’ll be notified immediately.
“Install a peephole on your front door to identify visitors before opening, reinforce sliding doors with additional locking mechanisms or security bars, and consult your landlord before making significant changes to your apartment’s security features.”
5. Consider a safe
A great apartment security tip is to have an apartment safe to add an extra layer of safety. Even if someone does get into your home or you have a snoopy roommate, that doesn’t mean you can’t have another line of defense in a safe. Safes are a great option for storing your most important belongings, such as jewelry, valuable paperwork and money. You could even get a fireproof safe to ensure everything is safe in the case of an emergency.
“To feel safer at home, consider a multi-layered approach, including a dog, security cameras, an alarm system, longer screws on locks and bolts, and a door bar. Additionally, situational awareness is key; get to know your neighbors and look out for each other. Finally, investing in self-defense training can empower you to protect yourself in case of an emergency.”
— Professor Mike with Hoosier Academy of Self-Defense
“Have a weapon like a baseball bat or pepper spray within reach at night. Keep it in a hidden spot by your bedside. Be aware that a knife may not be a good weapon to pick because many people hesitate to use it when push comes to shove. Learn self-defense techniques like where to strike somebody for max damage. Attend classes at places like Worth The Fight Boxing in Denver. If you need to fight, make sure you fight back HARD but also focus on escaping.”
— Gladys Santiago, Owner, Worth The Fight Boxing
6. Get creative with hiding spaces
If you don’t want to invest in a safe just yet, no worries! There are other ways to keep your belongings safe in your apartment. If your apartment has storage rooms, utilize them to keep the big items that you don’t want in your apartment.
Instead of throwing out empty everyday items, such as cereal boxes or shampoo bottles, clean them and reuse them as hiding places for valuables. If you have a lot of books you can make one of them useful by cutting out the middle and using it as a hiding place to store cash, paperwork and other items of value. This way, if anything did happen, you hopefully won’t end up with any lost items.
“Invest in shades or room-darkening curtains to deter burglars, create a communication channel for tenants to report suspicious activity, avoid posting your location on social media, especially during vacations, and consider installing security cameras with live surveillance (like Deep Sentinel) if your apartment allows it.”
7. Create the illusion you’re home
If you’re away a lot and worry about your apartment staying secure, then create the illusion you’re home. Leave a couple of lights on, or the TV on to make people believe that you’re currently home and deter potential burglars. This is easy to do now with things like home automation and smart home products that you can control from your phone.
8. Add locks
All apartments come with locks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add more locks yourself. There are a few options that you could go with when it comes to adding additional locks. You could add chain locks, or another deadbolt to your door to make your apartment that much safer.
If your landlord permits it, you could even switch out your traditional locks for locks that require key codes. This way, you wouldn’t have to ever worry about someone picking your locks. Just make sure that these changes won’t interfere with your ability to get your security deposit back.
“One of the first steps to improving apartment security is to ensure that all entry points, such as doors and windows, are secure. Installing deadbolts on doors and using window locks can help deter potential intruders. It’s also a good idea to check the condition of these locks regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. Another important aspect of apartment security is to be mindful of who has access to your building. Avoid letting strangers enter the building behind you, and report any suspicious individuals to your landlord or property management.”
9. Get to know your neighbors
Getting to know your neighbors is a challenge and a bit scary if you have social anxiety. However, becoming friends with your neighbors is beneficial in the long run and a great apartment security tip. Not only do you gain a new friend, but you gain an ally inside your apartment complex. When you know other tenants, you can rely on them to help watch over your apartment, too, or to have someone to go to if you feel unsafe in your unit. Before moving in, you could even talk to a past tenant and see what they thought of the building security measures to get a feel before moving in.
“Getting to know your neighbors can make a world of difference. When you build trusting relationships, you create a support system that can really help when you need it most. Safety isn’t just about locks; it’s about community.”
10. Have your keys at the ready
It’s important for all apartment dwellers to practice safety at all times. One safety practice is to always have your keys ready to go. Grab your apartment keys before you leave your car or in the elevator so that when you get to your door, they’re ready to go and you can easily get inside.
“Don’t ignore your “utt-ooh” gut feeling. Whenever and wherever you are, at home or away, our natural self-defense system is always at work for us. 24-7. So… When we get that uneasy feeling, that “ut-oh” feeling, it’s our natural instincts letting us know that something is not right. Don’t ignore it. It’s easy to do. We can convince ourselves that it’s ok even when our mind and body are trying to “warn” us.”
— Coach Ken at Anaheim Krav Maga
“The most important thing I tell my students is to be aware of their surroundings and prepared. Don’t get distracted by your phone in public, as it makes you an easy target. Arm yourself with tools and knowledge to prevent becoming a victim.”
— Matt Quinlan, chief instructor with USSD Vancouver
11. Create an exit plan
A key part of apartment safety is to know your emergency exits. All complexes have an emergency exit whether it be a fire escape or stairs leading to the ground level. Get really familiar with them on the off chance there is an emergency.
“Security isn’t just about locks and cameras; it’s about creating an environment that reinforces that message. Replace old locks when you move in, and don’t rely on just one barrier to feel safe. Make it clear that your home is protected and that you’re prepared. Most importantly, being prepared means knowing how to respond if things go wrong—always have a plan for what to do if someone does manage to get inside.”
— Tsahi Shemesh, Founder & CEO, Krav Maga Experts
“Beyond traditional security systems, consider non-lethal defense solutions. HERO® 2020 and AIIRO®, state-of-the-art, award-winning devices, offer safe and effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. These compact, concealable, and lightweight options are designed for easy use and provide the ultimate self-defense solution for city, suburban, and rural dwellers.”
— Jeff Cohen with HERO® 2020 and AIIRO®
12. Consider getting a dog
Whether you live alone or not, it’s never a bad idea to consider adding a furry friend. Dogs are not only great companions but they’re great make-shift security systems and motion detectors. People are also often scared of dogs, making them a great deterrent for burglars. Best of all, they’re a great home security system but also your best friend. Talk about some serious pro monitoring!
“Home defense is akin to layering an onion: multiple strategies are necessary to deter burglars. By upgrading lighting around doors and windows, investing in high-quality locks, installing security cameras, avoiding public social media posts about absences, and even considering a canine companion, you can make your home less attractive to criminals. This multi-layered approach creates a more secure environment and reduces the likelihood of a successful break-in.”
13. Have a renters insurance policy
When you move into your apartment, you should really consider investing in renters insurance. Renters insurance protects you and your belongings whilst you live in your apartment. Having renters insurance as a backup can give you a great sense of peace of mind.
14. Get a security system and security cameras
One of the classic apartment security tips for apartment renters is to install a security system or security cameras in your apartment. Before you install any type of home security system, you should talk with your property manager first to make sure you’re allowed to do so. By checking, you can ensure that you’ll be able to get your security deposit back when you move out.
One option is to install a security camera in or on the outside of your apartment. Security cameras are a good option if you’d like to monitor what’s happening at your apartment while you’re away. They also record a lot of the time, so if any suspicious activity were to happen, you would have it on tape.
Another security option you could go with is installing an apartment alarm system. Like a security camera, there are so many wireless alarm systems these days to pick from. You can get ones that have professional monitoring or ones with elite motion sensors alone. There are even security systems that don’t require any heavy-duty or additional equipment and don’t involve drilling into your walls or peeling paint.
Take your time to research the best security systems before buying one. It’s always a good idea to ask for help if you don’t know how to install a security system yourself. As long as you don’t forget your key codes, you’re good to go!
“One tip I have for an apartment situation is to set up portable security cameras so that you’re able to monitor who’s going in and out of your living space, as well as liability protection. While there are a variety of preferable options out there, if you’re on a tight budget, the 5G WiFi Indoor Security Camera by Generic is reasonable as the price isn’t outrageous and you can still view/record from your smartphone.”
— Samuel Brooks, Owner/Instructor, Brooks Defense Solutions, LLC
15. Check your smoke and gas sensors
Most complexes come with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed, but it’s always smart to double-check that they’re working properly. Not only will these make your apartment safer, but they could also save your life.
Talk with your property manager about having one installed for you before you move in and if for some reason they won’t, then you can always easily install one yourself.
If you do live in a tall building, you might consider getting a fire escape ladder to ensure your security in case of a fire.
“Invest in a fire extinguisher to be prepared for unexpected emergencies. And always keep security doors closed to limit access and enhance your safety.”
Safety first
It doesn’t matter where you live — whether it’s a single-family home or your own apartment — security is incredibly important for everyone. If you follow some of these apartment security tips, you’ll make your apartments safer for everyone.
