Home Security Beat

Crime Prevention Tips for Your Home, Dorm Room or Apartment

Even if you live with other people, it’s beneficial to keep some general crime prevention tips in mind. You can never be 100% safe when you live in a house, dorm room or apartment, but you can at least be aware of ways to protect yourself and other people who might be living with you.

• Always lock your doors. By the time you drive down the street to a gas station to pick up milk, a thief could have already entered your home and stolen your property. It’s not a good idea to take the chance.

• Keep emergency numbers by your home phones and store them into the speed dials of your cell phone too. Also, charging your cell phone by your bedside every night can ensure that a working phone is near you while you’re sleeping.

• Call 911 to report suspicious activity immediately. You might feel unsure whether a crime is going to take place, but it’s better to have the police check out the situation instead of waiting for something bad to happen. Plus, it will give you peace of mind, and if something is occurring, the police will be more likely to monitor the area in the future.

• Never prop open outside doors or let strangers inside a premises. This just makes it easier for the bad guys to get in, and you might also be putting others in danger if you live in an apartment complex or dormitory.

• Own a watchdog or install an alarm system. If you’re housing doesn’t allow pets and if you cannot afford a security system, purchase a hand held alarm. This can be kept on your key ring and beside your bed.

• Get to know your neighbors but avoid telling too many people whenever you go out of town. Find one trustworthy neighbor or friend with extra keys to pick up mail and check on your home. If mail piles up or notes are left on your door, it’s a tell tale sign that you’re away.

• Don’t hide money or extra keys in or outside your home. It’s too challenging to think of a unique place to hide these items, and most likely a burglar will find them and possibly use your credit card information. Store material items in a safety deposit box and money in a checking and savings account that is FDIC certified.

These are some common sense ways to protect yourself, which is why it’s easy to forget them or feel like you don’t need to worry. Wherever you live, it’s best to protect yourself from crime as much as you can.

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Tags: apartment safety, Crime Prevention, dorm room safety, Home Safety