Apartment Safety Do's and Don'ts

When you move into a new apartment, it's important to keep your safety top of mind as you're adjusting to different surroundings. Take a look at these apartment safety do's and don'ts:

1. Do let a neighbor know when you're out of town. A neighbor can keep an eye on your apartment, and alert the manager if there is any suspicious activity. It's a great idea to form a buddy system with a few key people in the complex who can watch out for each other.

2. Do report bad lighting, overgrowth of landscaping and broken locks. Your landlord is responsible for keeping all of these items in check to protect the safety of all tenants. It is up to you, however, to mention any problems that arise that the landlord might not be aware of.

3. Do be alert when walking to or from your apartment late at night. Report anything suspicious to your landlord, and consider carrying an alarm or pepper spray to be extra cautious.

4. Don't leave a note on your door indicating your absence. This is an open call for a thief to break in. It's best not to advertise anytime you're gone for an extended period.

5. Don't advertise that you live alone. This can make you an easy target for a variety of criminals. Consider using your initials on your mailbox and telephone listing to disguise that you are the unit's sole resident.

6. Don't get on an elevator with only one person unless you know them. Also, when you get into an elevator, stand near the control panel so you're more in control of the situation. This way, no one else can stop the elevator between floors.

7. Don't leave valuable objects in your windows or car. The less visible you make your valuable things, the better. Visibility might be an open invitation for a thief.

For more information, check out Move.com's How-to Rental Guide.