Picking Your Dream Apartment, but Not Thinking about Your Security and Safety can be costly and harmful! Looking for the right apartment can be a full-time job.
Ideally we want the first floor with a good view and a parking place right outside the front door.
Hopefully there will be new flooring in all the rooms with new and clean carpeting, and all the rooms will have a fresh coat of paint.
Good luck with that being the case.
It is time-consuming, but you must find the right apartment as soon as possible.
Finding an apartment, the exhilaration of it all, will sometimes make us treat with thoughtless inattention; neglect;or forget one's family about the necessity of safety and security issues, that may arise in the future.
It is always a great idea to make out a common way of listing in everyday life and computing of tasks to be completed of safety and security issues to check out before moving into your apartment.
This holds true whether you are a beginner or a pro.
Avoid making these outlined errors, to understand wrongly that could easily lead to a burglary in your apartment or an aggravated assault on yourself, family member, or others: 1.
At all times examine the structure and security of all exterior doors before moving in.
They should all have a spy hole to view who is at the door.
2.
Determine that the door has a deadbolt and shuts securely.
The door should not have any gaps around the edges.
This would allow someone with a crowbar to pry the door open easily.
3.
At all times ask the landlord if the locks have been changed since the last tenant moved out.
If the locks have not been changed, you or the landlord should change the locks with new keys.
Otherwise you run the hazard of the previous person who had the occupation or temporary possession of lands or tenements of another, entering your apartment at any time day or night, either to rob or assault you.
Even if they gave back the keys to the landlord, they could have made duplicates, with bad intentions.
4.
Most people forget to to pay attention to the lighting situation both outside near the parking lot.
Also forgetting to observe the interior passage, or corridor that lead to your apartment.
Poorly illuminated areas are hiding grounds for criminals with evil intentions.
5.
Don't treat with thoughtless inattention to neglect to ask the landlord about the other possible troublemaker tenants.
It would be good to ask if there are any potential problem neighbors.
Allow it to be wisdom to your ears.
6.
Don't neglect to examine the phone lines from the apartment.
Actually call 911 and see if it works.
Then when you need the police called out on a prowler complaint, domestic problems, or even complaints about loud music or other disturbances, you know for sure that the phone line works.
7.
Examine and see if there are any previously installed alarm system for the entrance doors and all windows.
There are several reasonably priced alarms you can install yourself on the doors and windows that will produce a loud sound if tampered with.
You must be prepared ahead of time by purchasing these safety and security devices, before you move into a new apartment.
Make sure you use fresh batteries in the security devices.
8.
If you are a single female (young or old) do not put your full name on your mailbox.
This is a precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way, since by doing this you are letting the world know you are a woman living by herself.
Just use your first initial and last name, and it won't let anyone know if you are a male or female.
9.
If at all possible move into an apartment that does permit the presence of dogs.
Perhaps you do not own a dog but you might consider obtaining one.
Any breed of dog barking is a critical deterrent to a criminal thinking of breaking in to your apartment for whatever reason.
10.
Don't treat with thoughtless inattention about moving into and living in an apartment without obtaining any non-lethal self-defense security instrument used for the purpose of causing harm or damage to persons or animals.
Every man or woman should have either or both pepper spray and a stun gun for personal and family protection, especially if living separated from others or isolated.
Either of these self-defense weapons will incapacitate a criminal, giving you enough time to getaway and to get help.
These items are not expensive and are a life saver to you, especially when you need them the most.
When you need them you need them-otherwise it is too late.
Moving into an apartment can be a real adventure for a young man, woman, or the elderly.
If these mistakes are not made and due diligence is taken in using necessary safety precautions, it should be a good experience for all.
Please be safe and secure out there and feel safe now.