As much as you hate to ever leave the comfy confines of your apartment, occasionally one just needs to get away from it all and take a vacation. Sadly, theft is a reality in the modern world, but by taking a few simple steps you can help to significantly lessen your odds of being struck by a burglar the next time you leave town.
As exciting as that cruise to the Bahamas may be, do your best to put a muzzle on yourself (and any roommates you may have) prior to leaving for your trip. Word can travel quickly in an apartment community, and you never know who might become privy to the information. Same goes for social networking websites – feel free to update your Facebook page to read your mood as ‘psyched!’, but avoid a lengthy post about hitting the road.
If you have a neighbor that you trust, give them a list of dates you’ll be gone as well as emergency contact info. Ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in your absence, or better yet ask them to do a walk through your apartment every other day. Try and ideally choose a trusted solo neighbor, rather than one with big-mouthed kids who might spread the word all over town that you are in the wind.
An alarm system is a great way to deter would-be robbers, although your community manager may not be willing to foot the bill. Remind him or her that they will get a break on their homeowner’s insurance much of the time. If they still say ‘no go’, you might want to consider purchasing a wireless system on your own, which can be taken with you to any future apartments down the road.
Be sure and lock up any irreplaceable documents, photos, etc. in some sort of secure lockbox or fire-proof safe. Even better, consider renting a safety deposit box offsite altogether. If your apartment community allows pets, throw a ‘beware of dog’ sign in your most prominent window (even if you don’t own one!).
A final wall of defense is to invest in some timers for the lights in your apartment. Ideally you will want to have at least two different lights timed in various sections of the home; nothing says ‘I’m away!’ like a lone light turning on at the strike of 9pm every night like clockwork. Stagger the lights in the various rooms to give the impression of normal living conditions. Most important of all, remember to have fun on your vacation! You’ve earned it, so don’t let would-be thieves rob you of your peace of mind.
As the Official apartment living guide from ApartmentHomeLiving.com, Trey offers apartment living tips and ideas to help you get the most out of your apartment lifestyle. He’s also helped hundreds of thousands of residents find apartments for rent and is always looking forward to helping you too! As your apartment resource Trey wants to make your apartment shopping and living experience stress-free by showcasing the most apartments and providing you with accurate information on each one, updated every single day at ApartmentHomeLiving.com. Share your apartment experiences and become a fan on
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