Security Tips for Renters

You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of yourself and your home.  Although we might think of security precautions as the business of homeowners, there are numerous measures we can take as renters to ensure our own safety.  Here are some tried and true security tips for renters to keep you safe.

Secure Your Space

Safety begins with ensuring that your unit is properly secured.  Make sure that your apartment has a deadbolt lock with a backup chain.  This locking system is fairly standard on most apartments, but if your unit happens to have a spring latch lock, do what you can to install a deadbolt, because spring latch locks are easily compromised.  In addition to securing your front door, make sure you have solid, working locks on your windows and sliding doors.  Break-ins often occur through windows and sliding doors, so in addition to your locks, place a metal bar in the sliding tracks to ensure the door itself will not slide open from the outside.

Light it Up and Secure the Area

Another major deterrent to break-ins is the presence of good, responsive lighting.  If you live in a house, make sure that all of your outdoor areas are well lit at all times.  Secure less trafficked and less visible areas, such as back-decks or side-alleys, by installing strong, motion-activated lighting.  If you live in a building, do your best to ensure that all entranceway and hallway lighting is active at all times, and that dead bulbs, or broken locks, are changed immediately.  Buildings have a lot of people coming and going, so double check that your building has effective safety procedures in place, in regards to securing doors, and buzzing in guests and deliveries.  Also, double check that your building is vigilant and consistent on keeping common areas, such as laundry and fitness areas, well-lit and well-monitored at all times.    

Engage your Community

The most important safety precaution you can take is getting to know, and staying connected to, the community of renters you share your space with. Get to know your neighbours, and, if you live in a building, get to know the maintenance and door security staff as well.  These communal relationships help you stay alerted to any on-going security risks, and they keep the lines of communication open about any potential risks that might emerge.  An added benefit to maintaining this community is the informal neighbourhood watch it produces. Safety comes from the communal ties of a building, which ensures that its members watch out for one another, and that they do not hesitate to lend a hand when needed.