Many apartment dwellers think there's not much they can do when it comes to managing their risks. Other renters don't begin to consider possible ways to prevent crimes, injuries, or other unfortunate situations from occurring until it's too late.
Fortunately, you can take steps to lower the risk of finding yourself in the middle of a dangerous situation at your apartment building.
Here's a list of some common unwanted apartment situations and what you can do to help avoid them:
Take Action to Avoid Undesirable Situations
- Situation to avoid: You're unaware of the fact that appliances or other household products in your apartment pose a serious safety risk.
What you can do: Stay on top of consumer product safety recalls so you learn of dangers as soon as they're discovered. - Situation to avoid: You let someone gain access to your building who commits a crime.
What you can do: Be smart when using your intercom system so that you're sure of who gets access. - Situation to avoid: A person who offers to help you with your move steals or damages your personal belongings.
What you can do: Accept help only from people you trust on moving day. - Situation to avoid: The elevator doors open and you walk into an empty elevator shaft.
What you can do: Avoid distractions and take a moment to look before you enter and leave an elevator. - Situation to avoid: An intruder or nosy neighbor gains access to your apartment while you're downstairs checking on your laundry.
What you can do: Don't give into temptation when running quick errands inside your building. Always keep your door locked when leaving your apartment. - Situation to avoid: Your apartment catches fire after using your oven to heat it.
What you can do: Play it safe by avoiding risky, ineffective options to heat your apartment. - Situation to avoid: You get seriously injured while trying to help others during an emergency.
What you can do: Before putting yourself in harm's way, keep your own safety in mind when trying to rescue others. - Situation to avoid: While looking for the perfect apartment, you become the victim of an apartment rental scam.
What you can do: Learn how to recognize common signs of an apartment rental scam so you can avoid trouble during your apartment search. - Situation to avoid: Your belongings are damaged or destroyed in an apartment fire, and you can't afford to replace them.
What you can do: Purchase an inexpensive renter's insurance policy so you're covered for personal property damage you may suffer while living in your apartment. - Situation to avoid: Someone you meet to discuss sharing an apartment mugs you, steals your identity, or commits another crime against you.
What you can do: Take steps to ensure that roommate candidate meetings are both safe and effective.
