When you move to a big city for the first time, the thought on your mind might be street smarts rather than home security. But in reality, the two concepts are linked together very closely, and learning to perfect your street smarts goes hand in hand with staying safe in your new apartment building.
Unless you’re particularly lucky, chances are that if you’re living in a big city, you’re going to be living in an apartment. Whether it’s a small building with no laundry room or a gigantic, doorman and gym included affair, there are a whole special set of rules that go with living in an apartment that can be a little tricky for someone used to a house. For one thing, just because someone is in the building doesn’t mean that they live there, or should be there. Until you get to know your neighbors, as in talking to them and knowing their names and apartment numbers, don’t go holding the door open for everyone. Likewise, if someone buzzes on your apartment and says they live there and forgot their keys, unless you know them, forget it. You don’t want to jeopardize the safety of yourself or the building.
If you’re living in a city where you still have a car, it’s great to know that your car alarm can act much in the same way as a home alarm. Just keep your keys in your hand where you can reach them as you’re walking from your parking spot or place in the garage up to your building. If someone tries to cause trouble with you on your walk, just hit the “alarm” button on your car keys. They won’t be able to tell where the alarm is coming from, and will most likely run away rather than bother you any more. This tip is particularly helpful for women living alone who might come home at odd hours.
Just because you’re living in a large building with other people doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to create home security for your apartment. In addition to the regular locks, install a deadbolt or too, to really beef up the safety of your building. Make sure that your peep hole is unobstructed, and if anyone comes knocking on your door claiming to be a repairman or a cable installation guy, be sure to ask for verification, including ID. Also, never hesitate to look up the company in the Yellow Pages, as the best way to check and see if a company sent a worker is to talk to a dispatcher you reach on your own, not just calling a number that some alleged cable installation man gives you.
While living in a city can be a huge switch from a small town or a house with a home alarm system, it’s not impossible to learn the city smarts to keep you safe out and about and at home in your apartment. Following these tips will leave any new urbanite a sense of security in a big new world.
Even if you’re in an apartment building, certain adt alarms are still a good choice. The new systems can be installed and re-installed in case you move to a new apartment, and the experts at ADT home security can help point you towards the right alarm.
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