Apartment Safety Tips: Which Home Safe Is Best?
The number of people living in apartments has steadily increased over the years. It's now estimated nearly 39 million Americans live in apartments. The rising costs of housing will likely result in this number increasing at an even faster pace than usual, especially as cities continue to expand upward instead of outward.
There are quite a few perks that come with living in an apartment complex. The maintenance responsibilities fall on the landlord, you never have to worry about mowing the grass, and there are often amenities, such as a pool and gym. The largest downside is that apartments are burglarized at a much higher rate than single-family homes.
Living in an apartment will limit your options for storage and security. It won't take long for a thief to rifle through your new home while looking for something to steal. That means that you'll need to get a little creative if you want to protect your valuables.
5 Essential Apartment Safety Tips
Making a few changes with these security tips can help you reduce the odds of experiencing a break-in. Living in an apartment that's above the ground floor, keeping darkly shaded curtains closed, installing new locks on your apartment door, and never posting on social media when you're away from home are a few examples.
However, you should also invest in a few more security options to keep your valuables more protected, such as:
- Install a security system
- Keep Your valuables in a safe
- Install a video doorbell
- Meet your neighbors
- Use smart home technology
Install a Security System
It's heavily recommended for homeowners to purchase a security system. It can be just as effective for apartment dwellers. Homes without one are three times more likely to get burglarized. The door and window sensors, motion detectors, and cameras that comprise a standard security system can also be effective at protecting an apartment.
You won't have quite as many home security system options as most apartment buildings aren't too happy with their tenants drilling holes and installing hardware inside their units.
However, there are plenty of security systems that feature wireless options. These apartment security solutions can be easy to install (think DIY) and won't require serious renovations.
Keep Your Valuables in a Safe
Storing your valuables inside a safe is one of the oldest ways to deter theft. People have been using safes for centuries as a line of defense because they're so effective. High-quality safes make it way more challenging for burglars to steal your valuables.
Living in an apartment may slightly limit your options for safety. The good news is that smaller safes can still protect your belongings. You don't need a safe that weighs several hundred pounds and is taller than your desk to protect your personal property.
A simple safe weighing less than 40 pounds is all you need, but more on that later.
Install a Video Doorbell
Video doorbells haven't been around for very long, but they're quickly becoming a go-to item for home security. It's estimated that more than 20 million homes (16%) in the United States have a video doorbell installed.
What's especially noteworthy is that the earliest video doorbells only hit the market in 2013. It took less than ten years for video doorbells to become one of the most popular security options.
Installing a video doorbell is especially effective for apartments. A house typically has several entry points, including front doors, back doors, side doors, windows, and the garage. An apartment that's not on the ground floor will usually only have one: the front door.
A video doorbell will give you a crystal clear picture of whoever enters your apartment and can help with the ensuing criminal investigation.
Meet Your Neighbors
The neighborhood watch was around long before video surveillance. Neighborhood watch has persisted for so long primarily because it's so good at preventing crime. It's estimated that a neighborhood watch will decrease crime within the area by an average of 16%.
You don't necessarily have to start an official neighborhood watch inside your apartment building. However, it would be an excellent idea to try to get to know your closest neighbors and to pay attention to your parking lot. Knowing your neighbors will also help you recognize suspicious activity that much better.
Use Smart Home Technology
The evolution of technology continues to take enormous leaps in short periods. Smart home technology has gone from being words in science fiction stories to reality for millions of people. The ability to control your appliances, thermostats, lights, and other electronic devices remotely can provide a ton of enhanced security measures.
Young people (aged 18 to 29) are currently leading the way, as 38% use smart tech for safety or security purposes. Older people (aged 50 to 64) are far behind the times as only 18% do the same. No matter your age range, it's a good idea to invest in the smart home technology that best fits your apartment living needs.
What Is the Best Safe for an Apartment?
There is no one size fits all approach to buying a safe as it can often be different for different people. You'll need to consider a few things when looking for a safe. That being said, here is our list of the best safes:
- Best Safe for Small Apartments: The Biocube Mini
- Best Safe for Drawers: Biocube In-Drawer
- Best Safe for Fire Protection: Firecube
- Best Smart Safe for Apartments: iCube
Best Safe for Small Apartments: The Biocube Mini
The Biocube Mini comes in white, gray, or black. This 35-pound safe features a biometric lock that can store up to 10 fingerprints in addition to a keycode ranging from four to six digits. The walls are made of ⅛-inch thick reinforced steel walls, the door bolts are tamper-proof, and there are eight pre-drilled bolts to help you properly secure your safe.
Inside is a soft interior bottom pad that can help protect your more delicate valuables, a removable interior shelf to help with organizing, and an automatic light to help you see at all times. The Biocube Mini provides enough space to store your valuables without taking up too much room in your apartment.
Best Safe for Drawers: Biocube In-Drawer
The Biocube In-Drawer provides all of the benefits of a standard Biocube except that it can fit comfortably inside a pull-out drawer. This 35-pound safe comes with a biometric lock that can store up to 10 fingerprints and a digital code between four to six digits.
The walls of this safe are made of eight-inch thick reinforced steel tamper-proof door bolts, dual spring lifting arms, and four pre-drilled bolt holes so you can properly secure your safe. The inside features a soft interior bottom pad and an automatic internal light to help you see inside more easily. The Biocube In-Drawer safe is available in both white and black.
Best Safe for Fire Protection: Firecube
The Firecube is a 55-pound safe that can withstand temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour and protect against potential sprinkler water damage. There are two tamper-proof steel bolts to keep the safe tightly secured and an LED screen with a six-digit locking code.
Inside, a top pull-out drawer can accommodate a fire-safe tray and internal bolt holes with fireproofing covers. The Firecube is available in both white and black.
Best Smart Safe for Apartments: iCube
The iCube features cutting-edge technology that will keep you connected from afar and your valuables protected. The 38-pound safe requires a power outlet but will allow you to control it with an app on your phone.
You can open or close the safe remotely, use the catalog feature to showcase what's inside, and receive tamper alerts when someone is trying to open it. The app features end-to-end cloud security. Connect without using wifi or Bluetooth for easy access anywhere you roam.
The user interface is extremely simple, plus you'll have the ability to share access with your family or other authorized users. With your purchase, you'll receive a 48" power cord and a rechargeable battery. The iCube is available in both white and black.
Conclusion
Living in an apartment may mean you'll need to do a little more to protect your valuables. Skip the first-floor apartment, check with the property manager regarding complex security cameras, meet your neighbors, and don't forget to use your door locks. However, the cornerstone to protecting your valuables is to purchase a high-quality safe.
Buying a safe from Mycube will provide you with the highest quality materials and the most effective way to keep your valuables safe. Your search for a safe should start and finish with the list mentioned above, as you won't find better quality anywhere else.
Sources:
Share of Americans Owning Smart Home Devices for Building Safety: Security by Age 2022 | Statista
U.S. Justice Department: Does Neighborhood Watch Reduce Crime? | The Journalist's Resource
Do Security Systems Make Your Home Safer? | The New York Times
Criminal Victimization, 2015 | US Department of Justice
United States Needs 4.6 Million New Apartments By 2030 or It Will Face A Serious Shortage | NAAHQ
