Warm Weather Safety Tips for Renters

With spring finally here and summer on the way, most of us are ditching the indoors for the warm sunny outdoors. While sunshine is one of the best things ever, warm weather also makes us more likely to leave our places wide open, giving intruders an easier entrance. If you’ve been out and about enjoying the sun lately, maybe catching yourself leaving a door or window open here and there, read these tips so you can continue to enjoy the sun and keep yourself safe.

Doors

When it’s warm out, we all are more inclined to go on spontaneous walks with Fido or a quick bike ride. While both are enjoyable and good for you, leaving everything unlocked while you are gone leaves your unit open to intruders, so take the time to grab your keys and lock your place up when heading out for fun. On the inside, if you are just hanging at home enjoying a warm breeze with the screen door open, take a minute to make sure your screen door is locked. That seemingly flimsy screen door lock can give you the split second you need to call for help in case of an intruder.

Windows

There is nothing quite as relaxing as a warm summer breeze coming through open windows. However, open windows are also a security risk, so play it safe while enjoying the breeze and install track-locks. Available at hardware stores for a few dollars and easy to install, track-locks keep windows locked in place at your chosen width. Install on the top and bottom track (or left and right on windows that open up and down) so windows cannot be rocked open. Six inches or less will get you a nice breeze and discourage intruders.

Lights

At night, a unit with no lights on the inside or outside is more likely to attract unwanted guests. Increase your personal safety by making sure exterior porch or garage lights are in good working order with bulbs intended for outdoor use. If you live in an apartment building, inform your property manager of any exterior lights you notice not working. Whether you are home or not, it is always safer to have a light on the inside, so leave at least a kitchen or bathroom light on at night.

Plants

If you live on the first or second floor and trees or shrubs surround your rental, keep them trimmed away from windows, doors, and walkways. Not only are they a hazard in these areas, they also give intruders a place to hide. If the trimming is your responsibility, keep branches at least a foot or two from the building and trim any that block windows or entryways. If plant trimming is your manager’s responsibility and you’ve noticed things getting overgrown, don’t be afraid to speak up and let them know you’d like things trimmed away from your unit for safety reasons.

Neighbors

Warm weather is a great time to walk around and get to know your neighbors. Whether you enjoy socializing or not, for your own safety, get to know at least one neighbor close to your unit. You don’t have to share private information or visit with them all the time, but you are both safer if you know a little about each other. Swap phone numbers so they can alert you of anything odd like a lurker hanging around when you are not home, and you can do the same for them.

Defense

When I was little, my parents kept a baseball bat in their bedroom and I never understood why. Until I got my first apartment and they gave me a baseball bat. Shortly after moving in, I learned there was a man breaking into apartments at night in my new neighborhood. That baseball bat became my teddy bear every night until he was caught and I highly recommend keeping one around. If you are not comfortable using baseball bats or more powerful weapons for self-defense, at least keep some mace (bear mace, not wimpy pocket size mace) in an accessible location. One in the kitchen and one in the bedroom is a good rule of thumb.

Finally, before you head outside again, add local police and fire numbers to your contacts, always know where your phone is, and keep it charged by your bed at night!