While crime generally peaks during the hot summer months, the especially high levels of violent crime and robbery in many cities in the U.S. (but especially here in Chicago) have endured this year, have left many ubrnaites on edge even as fall approaches. There is no surefire way to ensure that you won't be a victim of a crime, but there are plenty of things that you can do to help reduce your risk, protect yourself, and keep your apartment, your things, and yourself just a little bit safer. If you're not sure where to start, consider these fundamentals.
- Keep doors and windows locked even when you're at home. One of the easiest ways for criminals to get inside your apartment is through an open window or door. Even a few minutes is long enough for something to be stolen or to allow a criminal to hide and attack you. When you come in the door, lock it behind you. Windows should be also be closed and locked when you're out, sleeping, or in another room.
- Go the low-tech route. As a renter, you may not be able to install a high-tech security system, but you can make use of low-tech security solutions. Rubber doorstoppers are great way to keep people from getting in your door. Even better, they're easy to find and inexpensive. If you have sliding doors, make sure to get a drop bar to keep them secure.
- Get to know your neighbors. One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep yourself and your stuff safe is by getting to know your neighbors. You and your neighbors can then keep an eye out for each other, watching out for strange guests or suspicious noises.
- Use light timers. It can be a good idea to have a light on when you know you'll be coming home late or if you're going to be going out of town. You can do both without wasting energy by using a light timer that will automatically turn your lights on.
- Vary your schedule. If a criminal knows just when you're going to be home or away each day, it becomes a lot easier to strike. To keep these creeps on their toes, vary your schedule a little bit now and then to make it harder to know when you'll be vulnerable.
- Never let anyone you don't know into the building. No matter what a stranger at your door says, if you don't know the person, don't let them in. On that same note, your neighbors might not be so discriminating, so make sure to always use your peephole before answering the door.
- Talk to your landlord about concerns. If you have any potential safety concerns about your building or apartment, let your landlord know. Lights that are out, locks that don't function, or even neighbors that appear drawn to criminal activity (or have friends that are) are worth mentioning.
- Be alert in common areas. You can control a lot of what goes on in your own apartment, but common areas like stairwells and laundry rooms are another story. The best you can do is to always be on alert, bring a friend, or have some kind of defensive device (like mace) with you.
- Keep valuables out of sight. If it's possible to see all of your valuables from the street, you may want to move them around to deter potential theives. Move high-cost items away from windows and always close your curtains when you're home at night.
- Keep a tight leash on spare keys. When it comes to spare keys, the fewer there are the safer you are. Never leave a spare key outside of your place and only give backups to family and friends who you trust implicitly. To be extra safe, you can ask your landlord who has access to master keys for your building.