How to Prevent My Apartment From Being Broken Into
- 1). Lock all the windows and doors when you are away from the apartment. Install dead bolts on the door and stronger locks on the windows if they are out of date.
- 2). Avoid hiding spare keys in common places, such as above the door or under a welcome mat. Instead, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor, friend or family member.
- 3). Keep items of value, such as televisions, computers, art work or other electronics, away from areas that are visible through the window. Easy views of higher-end merchandise will attract burglars to your apartment.
- 4). Ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail or newspaper while you are on vacation. Mail left for several days in your box or piles of newspapers are clear signs that you are not home.
- 5). Contact a telephone-forwarding service to have any calls automatically forwarded when you are not home. This will ensure that burglars are not tipped off to the fact that you are away.
- 6). Speak to your neighbors. Get to know them and agree to watch out for one another's apartments. Ask the neighbors to contact the police or the apartment's owner if any suspicious person is attempting to gain entrance to the apartment.
- 7). Keep a guard dog to protect your apartment when you are not home. There are several breeds, including German shepherds, Bullmastiffs and American Bulldogs, that are trained by a professional to guard your home. Speak to the apartment's management to learn about any policies regarding dog breeds before adopting or purchasing a new pet.
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