Atypical Apartment Safety Methods

Atypical Safety Methods are some of the most practical and cost effective methods for apartment safety. Regardless of your living area or apartment community, any added safety you might provide will help to secure your safety and give you greater peace of mind when securing your home or apartment.

What Is Atypical Safety?

Atypical, or non-typical safety methods are anything you can utilize to secure your dwelling aside from standard or common security equipment. Usually, your door lock set, deadbolt, sliding door locks, window locks and chain locks are the most typical and common forms of security provided in nearly all homes or apartments. These are tried and true forms of securing your home, and remain the reliable standards just about anywhere. Though, adding a non-conventional form may allow another level of security that you may not find in the locks and security section of your local hardware store.

Useful Items for Atypical Apartment Safety Methods

Below are the two most common forms of atypical security that you can find easily and purchase with very little expense.

1. A 3/4″ dowel rod (wood or metal) purchased from a hardware store can be used to lay inside the slide track for windows and sliding doors. This simple tool makes it virtually impossible to open a door or window without breaking the glass to remove the dowel. And, if a window lock or door lock doesn’t work or is wearing out, a $2.00 dowel rod can be an excellent substitute for replacement parts which are difficult to find or costly to purchase.

2. Automated or motion-sensor lighting is a popular form of making your home look occupied, when you may be away. A simple lamp timer can be purchased virtually anywhere and set up in minutes. And, immediately your lights will turn on or off at different times each day as you require, allowing outsiders to at least consider that you may be at home, instead of your home appearing vacant while you’re away.

Be Aware and Use Common Sense

Another method of atypical security is to always make a prudent decision on where you live. Choosing the right neighborhood, or even the right area inside a rental community will provide added security from the moment you move in. Proper outdoor lighting, good visibility around corners, parking closely to your front door all are good common sense methods to limiting your exposure. Living on the second floor or higher will also restrict access for an intruder.

Even if you live in a secure building with a full time doorman, or even in a gated community home, safety should always be of paramount concern. Depending solely on the locks and safety measures installed at the discretion of the builder or former resident may not be in your best interest. Another excellent measure to undertake is to contact your local police department for help. Most local police enlist volunteer courtesy officers who will come to your home or apartment and inspect your dwelling for inadequate security. They will also give advice or ideas, free of charge, on how to properly equip your home using both typical and atypical methods.