BC52Plus Safety Tips
Fall 2011
BC52Plus Safety Tips
Spring 2011
Apartment Safety
The most common crimes in apartments are burglaries. Violence can result if a tenant returns home during a burglary. If you come home and believe someone has unlawfully entered your apartment, DO NOT GO INSIDE. Go to a safe place and call 911 or UCPD at 773.702.8181 for assistance.
Make sure you always lock your door when leaving even for a short time. Frequently, sexual assault reports result from tenants leaving a door open for a brief moment to grab groceries from their car. It only takes a moment for a criminal to enter your apartment and hide with you unaware.
Try to use common area laundry facilities during high-traffic hours. Do not feel compelled to change laundry if your common sense tells you to stay away from an empty laundry room.
Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other.
Women living alone should not post their full names on a mailbox, doorbell or directory listing. Make up additional names for apartment directories to give the appearance that you have roommates. Use your initial only for first names.
Make sure you always lock your door when leaving even for a short time. Frequently, sexual assault reports result from tenants leaving a door open for a brief moment to grab groceries from their car. It only takes a moment for a criminal to enter your apartment and hide with you unaware.
Try to use common area laundry facilities during high-traffic hours. Do not feel compelled to change laundry if your common sense tells you to stay away from an empty laundry room.
Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other.
Women living alone should not post their full names on a mailbox, doorbell or directory listing. Make up additional names for apartment directories to give the appearance that you have roommates. Use your initial only for first names.
5 Apartment Safety Tips To Help You Sleep Easy
Apartment Safety Tip #1: Lock Your Door
Believe it or not, this is one of the most important apartment safety tips. Remember, most burglars are looking for the easiest opportunity. We’ve all left a door unlocked while we get the second load of groceries out of the car. You think you’ll just be gone for a minute, and you don’t want to have to fumble with the key again. You can always set the groceries down beside your door, unlock it, and pick them up again. Also, don’t leave a hidden key in a plant, under the mat, in a fake rock, or anywhere near your door.
Apartment Safety Tip #2: Leave the Light On
Leave a light on for safety, especially when you know you’ll be coming home after dark. If you’re worried about running up the utility bill and going through bulbs, use a compact fluorescent bulb. You might also put on some music or talk radio at a low volume.
Apartment Safety Tip #3: Be Careful When Answering the Door
Don’t just open your apartment door to anyone, especially when you’re not expecting them. Use that peephole. Do not "buzz" people into your building that are not your guest
Apartment Safety Tip #4: Get to Know Your Neighbors
Join or start a Virtual Block Club. Get to know your neighbors. You and your neighbors can look out for one other. Also, if you should have an emergency, strangers in your apartment complex may ignore you out of fear, but if they know you, chances are they’ll open the door or at least try and get some help.
Apartment Safety Tip #5: Improve Your Apartment Safety with a Pet
Thieves hate pets, especially dogs. Dogs, birds and even some cats can raise a very loud ruckus if a stranger enters your apartment. Consider seeking apartments that take pets and adopt a pet from the local animal shelter. Burglars will probably not want to come in, and you’ll have a great new friend.
Believe it or not, this is one of the most important apartment safety tips. Remember, most burglars are looking for the easiest opportunity. We’ve all left a door unlocked while we get the second load of groceries out of the car. You think you’ll just be gone for a minute, and you don’t want to have to fumble with the key again. You can always set the groceries down beside your door, unlock it, and pick them up again. Also, don’t leave a hidden key in a plant, under the mat, in a fake rock, or anywhere near your door.
Apartment Safety Tip #2: Leave the Light On
Leave a light on for safety, especially when you know you’ll be coming home after dark. If you’re worried about running up the utility bill and going through bulbs, use a compact fluorescent bulb. You might also put on some music or talk radio at a low volume.
Apartment Safety Tip #3: Be Careful When Answering the Door
Don’t just open your apartment door to anyone, especially when you’re not expecting them. Use that peephole. Do not "buzz" people into your building that are not your guest
Apartment Safety Tip #4: Get to Know Your Neighbors
Join or start a Virtual Block Club. Get to know your neighbors. You and your neighbors can look out for one other. Also, if you should have an emergency, strangers in your apartment complex may ignore you out of fear, but if they know you, chances are they’ll open the door or at least try and get some help.
Apartment Safety Tip #5: Improve Your Apartment Safety with a Pet
Thieves hate pets, especially dogs. Dogs, birds and even some cats can raise a very loud ruckus if a stranger enters your apartment. Consider seeking apartments that take pets and adopt a pet from the local animal shelter. Burglars will probably not want to come in, and you’ll have a great new friend.