Burglar Security Tips for Tenants Who Live Alone

Burglar security is important for any apartment living situation, but even more so for a tenant who lives alone. You can’t just hope that it will never happen to you. You have to be proactive to prevent a burglary from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your valuables from an intruder.

1. Use a Deadbolt

A deadbolt can be an extra deterrent to a burglar. Use it every time you walk in your front door. If you don’t have one, ask your landlord to install one. If he won’t do it, learn how to do it yourself, or hire someone to install it.

2. Window Locks

The same goes for windows as the front door. If you can install an extra internal lock on a window, it can help you protect your apartment.

3. Buy a Dog

Your apartment might not allow pets, so this one might not apply for your situation. However, if your lease agreement allows pets, a dog can be a great investment. They work as a great burglar alarm, and most burglars don’t want to mess with a dog, no matter what size it is.

4. Buy a Burglar Alarm

There are very effective burglar alarms that can be set up in your apartment. You can buy a motion-sensitive door alarm that goes off when your front door opens. You can also buy “barking dog alarms”, which are motion-sensitive. If someone gets too close to your front door, it starts barking. Another option is to consult with a security company that can install a system that protects your entire apartment, including windows.

5. Always Lock the Door

Don’t make the mistake of walking down to your building’s laundry room and leaving your door open for a few minutes. It takes less than 20 seconds for a burglar to walk through an unlocked door, grab something valuable and walk back out without your knowledge. Burglaries happen FAST, so don’t give criminals an easy opportunity.

6. Use Your Radio

When you leave your apartment, set up a radio at low volume that you can hear outside your front door or windows. Talk radio stations work well for this, because they can create the illusion that there’s a conversation happening inside the apartment.

7. Answering Machine Wisdom

You might think it’s helpful to tell friends or family that you’re out of town for a few days on your answering machine message. It’s also helpful to burglars, so don’t do it (it’s easier for stalkers to obtain you’re contact information than you may think).

8. Stop Your Mail When Leaving

If you’re going out of town for a few days, put a stop on your mail or newspapers. The post office can hold it until you get back. You can also ask a neighbor to pick it up and hold it until you return. If your mail piles up, that tells a burglar that you’re gone for a few days.

9. Secure Your Valuables

Since burglaries tend to happen very quickly, secure your valuables as much as possible. Don’t leave a stack of bills on the kitchen counter (identity thieves look for these). Put any checks or cash away in a place that’s not obvious (burglars know about that empty coffee can in your kitchen). Invest in a safe or a safety deposit box for valuable items or paperwork.

Burglar security needs to be a priority for a tenant who lives alone. Don’t wait for them to show up at your door to come up with a plan. If you can anticipate potential safety or security threats, it will go a long way toward protecting yourself.