Here are some crime prevention tips for keeping yourself and your property safe if you live in an apartment.

Building

• Never allow strangers into the building as you are entering or exiting.  Be aware of suspicious people loitering around the entrance as they may reach for the open door.
• Stay alert when entering your apartment complex. Do not become distracted (i.e. talking on your cell phone). Criminals look for a weak target and are more likely to pass up someone who appears focused, aware, and strong.
• Never buzz anyone you do not know into the building for any reason.  If someone has a legitimate excuse of being inside the complex area, arrangements would have been previously made with the tenant and/or property owner.
• Get to know other people who live on your floor so you may be able to identify strangers. Good neighbours look after each other.
• Report any poor lit areas such as entranceways, hallways, etc. or any overgrown shrubbery around your complex to the property owner.
• Do not list your full name on the tenant directory board.

Elevator Safety

• Look to see who is in the elevator before entering.  If someone looks suspicious, do not enter and wait for the next one to come.
• When inside the elevator, stand near the control panel so you can easily press the alarm/emergency button if necessary.
• If a suspicious person enters the elevator when you are already on, exit before the doors close.

Suite

• Make sure that all the locks have been changed since the last tenants have moved out, as previous tenants may still have copies of keys.
• If you lose your keys, immediately replace your locks.
• Suite doors should have peepholes. If you do not have one, request that the property owner installs one for you.
• Always lock your door even if you will only be out of your suite for a short period.  It only takes seconds for a criminal to enter your suite through an unlocked door.
• Collect your newspapers and other packages on a daily basis and never let your mailbox overflow.
• Keep a broom handle or longer piece of wood in the track of sliding glass doors to prevent exterior doors from being open from the outside.
• Make a list of your valuables and keep accurate logs, including any identifying factors like serial numbers or engravings.